Mayacama Wine Offer - Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned and operated wine estate with vineyards and wineries in Napa Valley and on the western Sonoma Coast. The winery was founded in 1973 by Joseph Phelps, a successful construction executive and entrepreneur whose early interest in wine led him to establish vineyards on a 670-acre former cattle ranch in Napa Valley. Over the next 42 years Joe became one of the most respected figures in the California wine industry, building Joseph Phelps Vineyards into a critically-acclaimed winery internationally known for its iconic wines and unwavering commitment to quality. Joe’s son, Bill Phelps, joined the family business in 1998 after a successful career in law, and as Executive Chairman now oversees Joseph Phelps Vineyards with a continued dedication to excellence. The winery’s Board of Directors includes Joe’s daughters, Leslie, Laurie and Lynn. In 2016, third generation family members Elizabeth Neuman, Director of Business Development, and Will Phelps, the winery’s Director of Marketing, were appointed to the winery’s executive management team, and Allie Phelps joined the winery’s hospitality team. Today, the Phelps family is committed to maintaining and nurturing Joseph Phelps Vineyards as a family-owned and run winery and to extending the extraordinary legacy of its founder, Joe Phelps.

Though the main focus is on Bordeaux varietals, Joe Phelps has had a life-long love affair with the wines of Burgundy and a desire to craft wines in that style. Originally Chardonnay was sourced from St. Helena, later from Yountville and then from Carneros. Through the years, however, Joe continued to search for the ideal spot to grow both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and his search ended when the perfect combination of climate, soil and location was found in Freestone, located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, a mere five to eight miles from the Pacific Ocean. In 1999, 200 acres were acquired and planting began. Today, 80 acres of Pinot Noir and 20 acres of Chardonnay produce remarkable estate-grown wines bearing the Joseph Phelps name.

Napa Valley & Sonoma Coast: 100% Estate Grown

Every wine in the Joseph Phelps portfolio is 100% estate-grown, overseen from grape to bottle by our dedicated winegrowing team. Our family owns and farms 390 acres of vines in Napa Valley on eight estate vineyards in St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, the Stags Leap District, the Oak Knoll District, South Napa and Carneros, as well as 100 acres over two vineyards on the western Sonoma Coast. Strategically chosen over many decades, each vineyard has its own personality and brings a different characteristic to our wines. The decision to become 100% estate-grown was made in 2006 and fully implemented by the harvest of 2009. The effort meant reducing the volume of wines we produce substantially, yet our commitment to the estate-grown model is our way of ensuring consistency and the highest quality we can possibly achieve. Our estate vineyards give our winemaking teams unparalleled depth and diversity when it comes to producing Joseph Phelps wines.

THE WINES

2016 Freestone Chardonnay
The Chardonnays are all barrel-fermented in puncheons and barrels, and go through 100% malolactic. This Chardonnay has a nose of opulent pineapple, guava and green mango notes with touches of brioche and butterscotch. Medium-bodied with a satiny texture, it fills the palate with intense tropical fruits and savory flavors, marked by a lively backbone and finishing with some minerality. While this wine has not yet been rated, Parker gave the 2015 Vintage 93 points.

2015 Freestone Pinot Noir | 92 Points-Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Having seen 19% whole cluster, the 2015 Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyard has a medium ruby-purple color and nose of red cherries and black raspberries with hints of wild thyme, forest floor, lavender and moss. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegant and finely grained, with intense earth and red berry flavors, as well as a long finish.

2014 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon | 92 Points-Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The basic Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. It saw 18 months in a combination of both French and American casks. This is their biggest cuvée (27,000 cases) and it is a beauty. The 2014 is supple, with silky tannins, dark plum, blackcurrant and licorice-infused fruit with a touch of spice, a lushness on the attack and mid-palate, and a silky finish. This wine was meant for early drinking, but there is no doubt it has the concentration and overall balance to age nicely for 15-20 years.

2014 Insignia | 97+ Points - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
The 2014 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed blackberries and fresh blackcurrants with touches of cigar box, sandalwood, dried lavender, beef drippings and mocha plus a waft of wild thyme. Medium to full-bodied and incredibly elegant and fine in the mouth, the lively fruit is well structured by grainy tannins and seamless acid, finishing long and earthy.

THE OFFER

2016 Freestone Chardonnay - $48
2015 Freestone Pinot Noir - $48
2014 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon - $60
2014 Insignia - $200

For those who enjoy wines with some age, I have a very limited number of bottles of older Insignia; 1999 and 2001 for $250 and 2012 for $200. I will make these wine available on a first come, first sold basis.

Jeff McCarthy, Wine Director 
[email protected]
707.569.2906