Peter Sultan

9.4

Funny how sometimes I’m guilty of thinking “ letting the Brett blow off” to taste the main event. Here the development in the glass is the main event, which includes quite a bit of funk when first opening up. That the evolution includes wild blackberries & cassis, & the funk adds to the overall impression of something feral getting tamed, is all part of the fun. Fine grained & can be drunk young, but curious how it would fare in 8-10 years ( imagine a much more smoothed out development & sweetness). — 20 days ago

with Owen

Ron Siegel

9.4

Great vintage that is open showing black cherry, berry with crushed rock, mineral, spice box, licorice & violets — 25 days ago

Scott E. Becker

9.0

[Tasted on July 20, 2025 at Home]

Apple and citrus, with honey, vanilla and a chalky note. Wine is past its prime, but enjoyable. — a month ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.0

Solid St Joseph — a month ago

Kyle Belcher

9.4

Enjoyed with BBQ ribs. Black pepper on the palette, hint of green olive and dark fruit on the nose. Delicious. — 2 days ago

Jeffrey Woo

9.2

Pale gold hue. Pronounced aromas of apple, banana, honeysuckle, and sage. Fragrant and floral bouquet on the nose. Bracing acidity up front with a lingering finish of mushrooms and earthy. Complex and balanced. 80% Clairette, 10% Grenache Blanc, 5% Bourboulenc, 3% Ugni Blanc, 2% Muscat Blanc. — 14 days ago

Dylan S

9.0

Fun easy and great to have with oysters — 13 hours ago

Bruce Leboff

9.2

Ageing relatively well. Opened up more after two hours. Tannins soft. But present. Colour still rich and vibrant Smooth but just slightly over the hill. Fun to drink. — a month ago

with Edel, Michael and 1 other

Paul K

9.1

Gift from wife’s French client. The cork was saturated and crumbled, didn’t have much hope, but the nose revealed bright red fruit, some potpourri, alongside the tertiary mushroom and dried leaves you’d assume. The palate reflected this with sour cherry, strawberry, orange peel, and a hint of mushroomy cola. Lots of fine sediment. Very enjoyable. — 19 hours ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

As I have said many times before, I love these old 90’s Joseph Phelps Napa Cabernets. 1994 was the last vintage Phelps used this label. #oldschool

13.7 ABV. A little higher than expected for this era but way better than 15+.

The nose fruits show that light brickish flare-a touch baked & hints of being stewed, yet still beautifully ripe. Softened, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, spiced plum & dark cherries, some raspberries & blueberry hues. Sandalwood, dry stems, mid berry cola, soft baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, steeped tea, mix of dry & rich dark earth, charcoal, sweet, moist, volcanic clays, light graphite, bright, red, dark, blue florals with a hue of violets.

The fruits in this 93 are still very sound/solid & fresh. It senses just waning from its peak. It’s beautiful, elegant w/ perfect evolution. Glides over the palate, nothing bitty. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, spiced plum, dark cherries, cherries, shades of freshly baked rhubarb & blueberry w/ hues of raspberries. Sandalwood, dry stems, mid berry cola, amazing softened dark spice with some palate heat, dry herb mix, soft baking spice-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, understated caramel notes, vanillin. Steeped tea, mix of dry & rich dark earth, charcoal, light, gentle graphite, dry top soils, dry limestone powder, red, dark, blue florals, red roses with a hue of violets, excellent, rainfall acidity with perfect balance-structure, elegant & softly polished finish that last minutes and lands on softened earth tones & Indian/Asian spices.

I had many 90’s Phelps Napa Cabernets & this might be the most memorable for its tireless age at 32 yrs & style. Amazing treat. Really good with the Ribcap. Sublime.

Amazingly, next to no sediment. — 16 days ago