Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017

92 points Wine Spectator: “Offers a chunky feel, featuring a mix of dark plum and black currant fruit, with singed mesquite, dried bay leaf, sage and licorice root notes. Shows youthful rambunctiousness, balanced by good underlying structure and ample fruit. Should resolve easily with cellaring. Best from 2022 through 2034. (7/29/20)”

92 points International Wine Report: “The 2017 Joseph Phelps Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic showing in this vintage despite the challenges. This blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, which is sourced mostly from the Estate Vineyard in St. Helena instantly bursts open with fresh aromas of black cherries and boysenberries along with graphite, violets, mocha, fresh tarragon and finished off with baking spices. On the palate this is medium to full-bodied and nicely structured backed with a lovely supple mouthfeel. This possesses fantastic underlying acidity which provides a wonderful sense of freshness all the way through the finish, leaving you wanting more. Overall, this is a fabulous job in the cellar by winemaker Ashley Hepworth putting together this wonderful blend. Drink: 2020-2030. (Jun 2020)”

91 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): “This 2017 is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc, with most of the fruit coming from Phelp’s St Helena vineyard this year. “But,” winemaker Ashley Hepworth told me, “we declassified a lot of wine – sold a lot on the bulk market. We had some tough blending decisions.” Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon sashays out of the glass with open-knit, alluring baked plums, stewed cherries, mulberries and warm cassis with hints of spice cake, cracked pepper and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of black berry and exotic spice layers, framed by soft tannins and lively freshness, finishing with impressive length. Drink: 2019-2032. (Oct 2019)”

Producer notes: “92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon has expressive blueberry, boysenberry and baking spice aromatics. A fresh and inviting wine with unfolding layers of juicy raspberry and red cherry, nutmeg, cedar and graphite with a medium-full body, seamless integrated tannins and a lengthy finish. Barrel aged 18 months in 48% new oak barrels (62% French, 38% American) and 52% one- to two-year-old barrels.”