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Joseph Phelps Vineyards Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus (96% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot and Malbec) is absolutely fabulous. The wine has a bluish purple color to the rim and an extraordinary nose of graphite, spring flowers, blackberries, cassis, and espresso roast. A savory, full-bodied, powerful wine with great fruit, low acidity, and abundant tannin, it cuts a broad swath across the palate. This is a classic Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. It should drink well for at least 20 years. Robert Parker
Ratings on Delectable
Jay Eagan 
A great Cabernet from a great winery
A great Cabernet from a great winery
10
Rob Brobst III
Stunningly gorgeous! 2 hour double decant!!
Stunningly gorgeous! 2 hour double decant!!
9.9
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
The Backus Vineyard is on a steep hillside in the low end of the Vaca mountains...across from Rudd Vineyards and Screaming Eagle. It's a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot & 1% Malbec. Tonight, it's showing elegant evolution. The tannins are about at the halfway point in their evolution. It has a slightly jammy character. The fruits are; ripe to dry blackberries, spiced plum, dark cherries, touch of blueberries, black raspberries & raspberries come on late, coffee grounds, spice-box, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mocha chocolate, a nice woody barrel toast comes through mid palate, black licorice anise, dry stems, black tea, dry florals & fresh violets, dry hay, rich semi-sweet black earth, dry crush brown volcanic rocks and the acidity is perfect. The wine is in a good place tonight with a 3 hour decant. The structure, balance, length and finish are outstanding. The finish goes on and on. It's; ruby, lush, thick, round, elegant with just the right amount of spice and earth. The first bottle in a set of three. I would have the next bottle in 5-8 years. Guessing, the last bottle in another 3-7 years depending on the showing of the second bottle. Sweet dark cassis nectar.
The Backus Vineyard is on a steep hillside in the low end of the Vaca mountains...across from Rudd Vineyards and Screaming Eagle. It's a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot & 1% Malbec. Tonight, it's showing elegant evolution. The tannins are about at the halfway point in their evolution. It has a slightly jammy character. The fruits are; ripe to dry blackberries, spiced plum, dark cherries, touch of blueberries, black raspberries & raspberries come on late, coffee grounds, spice-box, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, mocha chocolate, a nice woody barrel toast comes through mid palate, black licorice anise, dry stems, black tea, dry florals & fresh violets, dry hay, rich semi-sweet black earth, dry crush brown volcanic rocks and the acidity is perfect. The wine is in a good place tonight with a 3 hour decant. The structure, balance, length and finish are outstanding. The finish goes on and on. It's; ruby, lush, thick, round, elegant with just the right amount of spice and earth. The first bottle in a set of three. I would have the next bottle in 5-8 years. Guessing, the last bottle in another 3-7 years depending on the showing of the second bottle. Sweet dark cassis nectar.
9.5
Will Phelps
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Still young.
Still young.
9.5
Mitzi Inglis
Marketing/Public Relations, Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Love this wine. It's in such a pretty place right now. #josephphelps biased review
Love this wine. It's in such a pretty place right now. #josephphelps biased review
9.6
David Eckert
Still waiting for this to tone down and integrate. 5 years more?
Still waiting for this to tone down and integrate. 5 years more?
9.0
Mark Turner
An American bordeaux. Earthy nose, good dark fruit. Not the best vintage bust still showing well.
An American bordeaux. Earthy nose, good dark fruit. Not the best vintage bust still showing well.
9.2
James B. MacDonald
A must drink at this time. Fruits are soft and blended. Velvet. Long finish. Awesome.
A must drink at this time. Fruits are soft and blended. Velvet. Long finish. Awesome.
9.6Winston Biltz
Dark fruits with cassis. Strong persistent finish. Showing plenty of finesse and body at the same time.
Dark fruits with cassis. Strong persistent finish. Showing plenty of finesse and body at the same time.
9.5Jason Duff
Yes. God bless America, especially Napa.
Yes. God bless America, especially Napa.
9.5
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