Winemaker Notes
Blend: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
-
Tasting Panel
Deep color; polished and succulent with dense structure and notes of plum and chocolate. With its lush body and round flavors, this wine proves Josh Phelps’ new label is packed with hits. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot.
-
Wine Enthusiast
The debut of Napa native winemaker and entrepreneur Josh Phelps' own label, this is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. It delivers tremendous value for the quality, a mix of chocolate-covered cherry, blueberry and vanilla cola wrapped in smooth, seductive layers of robust elegance. Tobacco, pencil shavings and cigar box add alluring seasoning.
Editors' Choice
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.