Reviews & Ratings

2008 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon "Napa Valley"

Winery: Joseph Phelps

Vintage: 2008

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Napa Valley"

Wine Category: Cabernet Sauvignon

Grape blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, & 1% Malbec

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Napa Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $56

Cases produced: 21,000

KWG Score: 88.6 (based on 6 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (91)

Review date: September 28, 2011

Wine Review: This opaque and dark purple colored Cabernet finished tied for second in our big blind tasting of mid-tier Cabs. It opens with a spicy blackberry bouquet with a hint of vanilla oak. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and velvety smooth. The flavor profile is an extracted blackberry with notes of oak, plum, and a hint of boysenberry. The finish is quite dry and its dusty tannins are rather lengthy and sticky. The panel suggested pairing this gem with a cowboy ribeye or a duck breast with a blueberry cabernet sauce. Enjoy - KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: The 2008 Cabernet reveals aromas of plum and blackberry intertwined with graphite, forest floor, dark chocolate and curry notes. The fruit and spice carry through on the palate adding to the multilayered texture of this wine. Supple, integrated and age-worthy tannins create a long, lush finish.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Joseph Phelps 2008 Cabernet.