Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned winery committed to crafting world-class, estate-grown wines. Founded in 1973, when Joe Phelps purchased a former cattle ranch near St. Helena in the Napa Valley, the winery now controls and farms nearly 390 acres of vines on eight estate vineyards in Napa Valley. In 1999, the Phelps family added 100 acres of vineyard property near the town of Freestone on the Sonoma Coast, where Phelps grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Wines

2018 Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena |  93 points, Wine Spectator

The grapes were picked in the cool pre-dawn hours of the morning and pressed to barrel for native yeast fermentation. The wine was aged for seven months in 30% new and 70% once-used French oak. The lees were stirred during and after fermentation resulting in a texturally layered wine with light oak influence. The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc possesses heady aromatics of white flower, honeysuckle and hints of ripe honeydew melon. Fresh and focused with bright minerality and lingering notes of Granny Smith apple, lime and candied lemon peel.

2017 Chardonnay, Freestone Vineyards | 92 points, Robert Parker

Aged 13 months in 42% new French oak puncheons and barrels, the 2017 Chardonnay Freestone Vineyard has an open nose of lush white peach, apricot, baked quince and poached pears with nuances of acacia blossom, wet stone and lemon zest. Medium-bodied, it’s very lively in the mouth with layers of citrus and stone fruit with mineral accents, framed by great tangy acidity, finishing long and clean.

2017 Pinot Noir, Freestone Vineyards | 92+ pts, Robert Parker

Grapes were picked under lights and sorted before being gravity fed to tank for a long natural fermentation using an overall average of 20% whole clusters in the final blend. Regular punch downs resulted in a structured wine with silken texture and a distinctive Freestone spice character prevalent in this area of the western Sonoma Coast. The 2017 Pinot Noir opens with jammy red fruit and freshly picked strawberries followed by tangy Bing cherry, raspberry and baking spice notes. A balanced, youthfully focused wine that finishes with white pepper spice and hints of tangerine peel.

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley |  93 pts, Robert Parker

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc aged for 18 months in 48% new French and American oak and bottled in May/June of 2018. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of crushed blackcurrants, blackberry pie and blueberry compote with suggestions of cigar box, menthol, rosehip tea and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with vibrant black fruit laced with plenty of spicy sparks, framed by grainy tannins and oodles of freshness and finishing long with a menthol kick.

2016 Insignia, Napa Valley | 98-100 pts, Robert Parker

The 44th vintage of Insignia is made up of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec and aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak. The 2016 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine has a deep garnet-purple color and is a little reticent at this still nascent stage (to be bottled in January 2019), opening out to reveal chocolate-covered cherries, wild blueberries and black raspberries with touches of underbrush, cedar chest and bouquet garni plus a hint of grilled meat. Medium to full-bodied, the palate springs forth with exciting energy, offering loads of red and black fruit layers and compelling herbal sparks, featuring a firm, fine-grained backbone and bags of freshness lifting the finish.

2017 Delice, Estate, Napa Valley

Joseph Phelps Vineyards has produced dessert wines in select vintages since the 1970s. While the winery may be best known for Insignia, the proprietary name Delice, first introduced by the winery in the 1980s remained one of Joe’s favorites. Joseph Phelps has decided to revisit the Delice name with the launch of their 2017 dessert wine made from 100% estate-grown Scheurebe from our Home Ranch Vineyard in St. Helena. Bottled in 375ml only. The 2017 Delice is brimming with ripe pear, fragrant white flowers and chamomile followed by intense layers of peach nectar, lemon meringue and candied pineapple. Nicely textured with bright acidity and a honeyed finish.

The Offer

2018 Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena - $36

2017 Chardonnay, Freestone Vineyards - $48

2017 Pinot Noir, Freestone Vineyards - $48

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - $60

2016 Insignia, Napa Valley - $240

2017 Delice, Estate, Napa Valley - $48