Joseph Phelps Private Tasting
Fellow Pour Boy (our wine group), Dan, is a long time wine club member and procurer of
Joseph Phelps wines. He has an extensive vertical collection of Phelp’s wines including their flagship Insignia and ultra-premium Backus labels spanning more than a decade.
Dan has sponsored and hosted visits to the magnificent Phelps estate vineyards and winery in Napa Valley for our wine group including this fabulous tasting as part of our Napa Valley Wine Experience back in 2017 - .Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Winery Tasting.Dan has brought or served Phelps ultra-premium selections to many of our Pour Boys group wine tastings as well as serving them at his daughter’ Hillary’s wedding.
So it was that when Joseph Phelps considered Chicagoland members of their club for private tastings, Dan was chosen to host such an event.
Our Pour Boys wine group was represented by Dan, me, Lyle, and Bill who came in from Charleston, via Napa Valley, SFO and Lake Tahoe, for the occasion.
We were joined by long time dear friend, Jared Gelband, Wine Director of Italian Village Chicago, where and with whom we often frequent for special tastings, wine dinners, work team and family dinners - as featured often in these pages -
The guests included Dan’s and my Linda’s as part of the group of Linda’s in attendance.
Dan put out a broad selection to hors d’ovres, charcuteries including special sausages, cheeses and small bytes for the tasting.
The Joe Phelps estates today consist of eleven different vineyards in the acclaimed AVAs across Napa Valley and the western Sonoma Coast. Today’s flight featured wines from the Sonoma Coast and premiere Napa Valley sites.
Joseph Phelps wine ambassador Christine came to Chicago and curated a special tasting of Phelps wines at Dan’s residence in northwest Indiana.
The Phelps wine flight consisted of their Ovation sparkling wine, Freestone Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and the Phelps line-up of premium and ultra-premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons.
The wine flight:
Phelps Ovation Sparkling Wine 2018
Phelps Freestone Sonoma Coast Pastorale Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
Phelps West Sonoma Coast Quarter Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023
Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Phelps Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Phelps Backus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
The Ovation sparkling wine, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are sourced from Phelps estate vineyards on the western Sonoma Coastal area near the town of their namesake, Freestone. Freestone's wines are defined by two distinct estate vineyards: Pastorale and Quarter Moon. Each site, nestled on the fog-swept, rugged edge of the Sonoma Coast, possesses a unique terroir that imparts singular characteristics. The vineyards benefit from persistent coastal fog, sculpting winds, and soils shaped by ancient marine sediments, creating a micro-climate unlike any other.
These are limited release wines allocated for availability through the Phelps wine club.
Phelps Ovation Brut Sparkling Wine 2018
In 2015, Phelps produced the winery’s first sparkling wine called Ovation, to honor the extraordinary life of Joe Phelps. It was comprised of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Pastorale Vineyards.
Joseph Phelps notes - “Ovation – Freestone Vineyards” sparkling wine is produced from estate fruit grown at the Freestone Ranch on the far Sonoma Coast, a region known for its cool climate and coastal fog. Joseph Phelps Vineyards began developing the Freestone property in the late 1990s, marking a major expansion from their original Napa Valley roots. “Ovation” reflects the winery’s commitment to crafting méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine with long lees aging and meticulous vineyard sourcing.”
Joseph Phelps Freestone Vineyards Ovation Brut is a méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine from the Sonoma Coast's Freestone Estate vineyards, primarily Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, known for its fine bubbles, bright acidity, and complex notes of citrus, stone fruit, brioche, and toasted nuts. It's crafted with long lees aging, resulting in a creamy texture and elegant structure that develops with bottle age, showcasing the cool-climate terroir.
Ovation is typically a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (e.g., 80/20 or 78/22).
“The winery’s third vintage of Ovation Sparkling Wine is overflowing with aromatic green apple, citrus zest, stone fruit and toasted brioche with hints of citrus blossom. A wine of focused textural refinement with creamy layers of white peach, white raspberry, vanilla sponge cake and a pleasing saline character.”
The 2018 has firm acid structure and tension with additional flavor benefits following cellar aging.
The winery’s third vintage of Ovation Sparkling Wine is overflowing with aromatic green apple, citrus zest, stone fruit and toasted brioche with hints of citrus blossom. A wine of focused textural refinement with creamy layers of white peach, white raspberry, vanilla sponge cake and a pleasing saline character.
Straw colored, medium bodied, “The winery’s third vintage of Ovation Sparkling Wine is overflowing with aromatic green apple, citrus zest, stone fruit and toasted brioche with hints of citrus blossom. A wine of focused textural refinement with creamy layers of white peach, white raspberry, vanilla sponge cake and a pleasing saline character.”
Single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Pastorale and Quarter Moon Vineyards
Phelps Freestone Western Sonoma Coast Pastorale Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
Phelps acquired properties in western Sonoma County in Freestone in 1999 where they planted vineyards and built a winemaking facility. The area traditionally known for cattle, pasture and forest land, has ideal conditions for growing ultra-premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietals. Just eight miles from the Pacific Ocean, the micro-climate is regularly shrouded in a marine layer of fog that lingers into the early afternoon on most summer days, surrendering to afternoon sunshine. The area’s Goldridge soils are ideal for growing quality grape varietals.
Phelps planted the Pastorale Vineyard on what was a former dairy farm, to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in 2000. A year later, they planted the Quarter Moon Vineyard down the road entirely to Pinot Noir in 2001.
This Chardonnay is a blend assembled from four blocks within the Pastorale Vineyard in Freestone on the western Sonoma Coast. The Chardonnay blocks include clone 2A, Mt. Eden, Hyde Old Wente, Montrachet, Maro, and Old and New Calera.
It is 100% Chardonnay from the Pastorale Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA, from Clone selection includes Mt Eden, 2A, 76, Old Calera, New Calera, Maro Barrel Aging: The wine was aged for fifteen months in 58% new French Oak and 42% used French oak puncheons before bottling
Winemaker’s notes - “This Chardonnay from Pastorale Vineyard opens with bright, perfumed aromas of lemon citrus, white flowers, and a hint of lemon custard that suggests subtle richness.”
Phelps West Sonoma Coast Quarter Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023
This 2023 release is 100% Pinot Noir from the Quarter Moon Vineyard in the West Sonoma Coast AVA comprised of Clone Selections: 459, 777, 828, Calera, and Pommard, 115. It was barrel aged for thirteen months in 52% new French Oak and 48% one-to-three year-old French oak barrels before bottling.
Winemaker’s notes - “This 2023 Quarter Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir is considerably savory, showcasing the darker, more structured side of the appellation. Black cherry and blackberry provide depth and concentration, while cranberry and pomegranate bring vibrant acidity. Sage and dried Mediterranean herbs create a complex profile that balances fruit and herbal elements. Elevated acidity and firm tannins give the wine a structured backbone that calls for food pairing.”
Insignia, Cabernet Sauvignon from Backus Vineyard
Syrah from Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard
Single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Pastorale and Quarter Moon Vineyards
Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
The Joseph Phelps 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by fruit from Yountville and Suscol; only 21% of the blend is from growers, as there's a push toward estate fruit. As always, there's some American oak in the mix, but that proportion is evolving downward.
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, 1% Merlot.
The wine was aged for sixteen months in 48% new oak (50% French, 50% American) and 52% used French and American oak barrels before bottling
This release was rated 94 points by James Suckling, 92 by Vinous, 91 by Jeb Dunnuck and 90 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
Winemaker’s notes - “Our Cabernet Sauvignon opens with an enticing bouquet of black and red fruits - juicy black cherry intertwined with fresh pomegranate and bright cassis. Notes of cedar spice and toasted coconut add intrigue and sophistication to the aromatic profile. On the palate, layers of raspberry compote and dried wild berries unfold across a full-bodied frame. The wine shows impressive density while maintaining elegance, supported by well integrated tannins that provide structure without overwhelming. This is a wine of both power and finesse.”
https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/4877025
Phelps Insignia Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
In 1974, the idea to blend the finest wine lots of the vintage into one bottling was revolutionary in America and in the Napa Valley. A true visionary, Joe Phelps was one of the first American winemakers to see the merit in blending, proving his conviction when he debuted “Insignia” in 1974. According to Robert Parker, “Insignia remains one of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blends.”
Phelps created “‘Insignia”, to signify a wine of excellence and superior quality, the ‘distinguishing mark’ allowed the wine to freely adapt to the varying combination of varietals from vintage to vintage. Insignia would quickly become the seminal wine of Joseph Phelps’ legacy.”
Insignia is sourced from up to eight Napa Valley estate vineyards planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc planted on select sites.
The 2022 release is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc.
It is 100% estate grown from Phelps vineyards:
28% Yountville Vineyars in the Oak Knoll District
27% Banca Dorada Vineyards in Rutherford
19% Las Rocas Vineyard in the Stag’s Leap District
11% Home Ranch Vineyard in ST. Helena
9% Suscol Vineyard in South Napa Valley, and
6% Barboza Vineyard in the Stag’s Leap District
It was aged 24 Months in 100% New French Oak
It was rated 96-98 Points by Jeb Dunnuck.
Winemaker notes - “The 2021 Insignia captivates the senses with vibrant aromas of black cherry, hibiscus, and wild blackberry, subtly accented by fresh earth and a hint of Tahitian vanilla. On the palate, these dark fruit characteristics are harmonized with warm tones of redwood bark and baking spices. Plush, soft tannins and bright acidity enhance the length, complementing the rich fruit and savory undertones. A compelling tension infuses the wine with focused energy, promising it will express beautifully for years to come.”
Phelps Backus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Joseph Phelps Backus Vineyard is a highly-coveted, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville, Napa Valley, known for its power, structure, and aging potential, often compared to Bordeaux wines. It's made from grapes grown on a specific hillside, aged in 100% new French oak, and features intense flavors of dark fruit, spice, and earth, with a muscular, long finish. It is distinct from Phelps's multi-vineyard Insignia blend, as Backus is released in limited quantities and designed for long-term cellaring. Considered a wine that requires significant bottle age (often a decade or more) and can last for decades.
This single vineyard designated label is 100% from the Phelps estate Backus Vineyard, a 21-acre site on the eastern slopes of Oakville, Napa Valley in the Oakville AVA.
It is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon 9% Malbec and 7% Petit Verdot. The wine was aged for twenty-four months in 100% new French oak barrels before bottling.
From Oakville’s Backus Vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers plush notes of blackberry, black cherry, and blueberry compote, accented by cedarwood, warm clove, and a savory hint of black olive. Iron-tinged minerality adds firmness and depth to the profile. Plush yet structured, the palate finishes with mocha, black tea, and refined tannins that promise graceful aging for years to come.
Backus is a Phelps Preferred exclusive Cabernet Sauvignon. You must be an active Member and login to your account to access this rare wine.
