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Joseph Phelps Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Fantastic new Joseph Phelps Napa Cabernet release. Robert Parker: "Not surprisingly, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is a deeper, richer, fuller effort with a more saturated ruby/purple color as well as lots of creme de cassis, smoke, forest floor, incense and background wood. Medium to full-bodied and rich in fruit with low acidity and extremely sweet tannin, this will be a crowd-pleasing, delicious Cabernet Sauvignon to drink early on or cellar for 10-15+ years... ...Winemaker Ashley Hepworth has done a fabulous job with these new releases. While most of the attention at Phelps centers around the flagships Insignia and Backus, over the last few years I have been equally impressed with the straight Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that delivers tremendous bang for the buck. In addition to these wines, I also tasted a few Syrahs from the 1970s. Today, Phelps is known for their Cabernet Sauvignons, but it is also worth remembering Joe Phelps was the first grower to introduce Syrah to the Napa Valley several decades ago."
Ratings on Delectable
Joakim Andersson 
Chewy. Mouth watering fruit and a lot of punch. Feels young and brawny but balanced.
Chewy. Mouth watering fruit and a lot of punch. Feels young and brawny but balanced.
9.2
Greg Ballington
Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog
Deep ruby red. Green and herbal on the nose to start but blew off leading to a touch of heat, anise, cinnamon and dark berries. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Layers of black fruit on the palate with some more cassis and a touch of gravel. Solid structure and medium plus to long finish. Drink till 2028. (90+)
Deep ruby red. Green and herbal on the nose to start but blew off leading to a touch of heat, anise, cinnamon and dark berries. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and medium plus bodied. Layers of black fruit on the palate with some more cassis and a touch of gravel. Solid structure and medium plus to long finish. Drink till 2028. (90+)
9.0Robbie Roemer
Just a lovely wine. Well balanced. Earth, tannins, and wood were there after initial tasting. As bottle breathed, currant notes gave way and a bit of tobacco. I loved it. With @Susan Roemer
Just a lovely wine. Well balanced. Earth, tannins, and wood were there after initial tasting. As bottle breathed, currant notes gave way and a bit of tobacco. I loved it. With @Susan Roemer
9.4
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
The 13 is starting to soften a bit. I have a case of this and I generally do not buy more than six bottles of most wines. Just too much good wine to own. However, this has all the making of a superstar. The concentration is incredible. All beautiful dark ripe fruit, beautiful tannins and acidity. Mid red fruits pull up the rear. Nice leather, underbrush, cocoa powder, soft rich minerals and a polished long finish. This could easily end up being the best Napa Cabernet they've made. Exceeding some of their older Insignia's. Can't wait to open this in 10-15 years.
The 13 is starting to soften a bit. I have a case of this and I generally do not buy more than six bottles of most wines. Just too much good wine to own. However, this has all the making of a superstar. The concentration is incredible. All beautiful dark ripe fruit, beautiful tannins and acidity. Mid red fruits pull up the rear. Nice leather, underbrush, cocoa powder, soft rich minerals and a polished long finish. This could easily end up being the best Napa Cabernet they've made. Exceeding some of their older Insignia's. Can't wait to open this in 10-15 years.
9.3Taylor Morrow
One of the best cabs I've ever had. Incredibly smooth and rich!
One of the best cabs I've ever had. Incredibly smooth and rich!
9.5
Mike R
You decide if it is the wine or not that makes me smile - but really smiling hard - totally recommend- but avoid the cork in the nose please
You decide if it is the wine or not that makes me smile - but really smiling hard - totally recommend- but avoid the cork in the nose please
9.4
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The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, dark and juicy. A great example of the vintage, the 2013 captures the essence of this important Napa Valley vintage. Plums, crème de cassis, cloves menthol and licorice meld together effortlessly. Drink this plump, fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon over the next decade or so. The 2013 is flat-out delicious and also a reasonably priced Cabernet Sauvignon, with enough production to be widely available, a winning combination in my book. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous)
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, dark and juicy. A great example of the vintage, the 2013 captures the essence of this important Napa Valley vintage. Plums, crème de cassis, cloves menthol and licorice meld together effortlessly. Drink this plump, fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon over the next decade or so. The 2013 is flat-out delicious and also a reasonably priced Cabernet Sauvignon, with enough production to be widely available, a winning combination in my book. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous)
9.1David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Violets leap out of the glass. Concentrated core of blackberries, black plum, some blueberries, dark raspberries, anise, baking spices, new leather, dark crumbled minerals, dry crushed rock, just a touch of pepper, dried florals, liquid violets and a touch of herbs. This super concentrated Cabernet will develop into a really nice wine in another 8-10 years.
Violets leap out of the glass. Concentrated core of blackberries, black plum, some blueberries, dark raspberries, anise, baking spices, new leather, dark crumbled minerals, dry crushed rock, just a touch of pepper, dried florals, liquid violets and a touch of herbs. This super concentrated Cabernet will develop into a really nice wine in another 8-10 years.
9.2David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Awesome blue/black fruit, light spice nose. Still fresh, good concentration. Fruits and spice are the same as the nose. Velvety wet black earth.
Awesome blue/black fruit, light spice nose. Still fresh, good concentration. Fruits and spice are the same as the nose. Velvety wet black earth.
9.2
David Walser
At Palazzo’s Trattoria in Houston tonight. This is a wine friendly restaurant in a not so friendly “BYOB” city. Enjoyed the meals. The wine was tasty at 6 years old.
At Palazzo’s Trattoria in Houston tonight. This is a wine friendly restaurant in a not so friendly “BYOB” city. Enjoyed the meals. The wine was tasty at 6 years old.
9.2
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