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: 2004 Joseph Phelps "Backus" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

2004 Joseph Phelps "Backus" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

SKU #1034905 97 points Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard, from a steep hillside site in the low end of the Vaca mountains, across from Rudd Vineyards and Screaming Eagle, boasts an inky/purple color along with remarkably sweet tannins, especially for Backus, which tends to be a forbiddingly backward style of Cabernet. It possesses broad, expansive flavors, an opulent, full-bodied palate and unreal length. One of the superstars of the vintage... (RP) Inner quote mark (4/2014)

95 points Connoisseurs Guide

Outer quote mark There is a strong sense of muscle and fruity mass about this bottling right from the start, and, while it is not cast in the tough and sturdy style that is often the norm from Backus Vineyard, the wine is every bit as rich and well-filled as any of its noteworthy predecessors. It shows a pronounced trim of milk chocolate and vanilla running its length, but it is driven first and foremost by a generous and wonderfully constant measure of juicy, currant and black cherry fruit. Inner quote mark (12/2007)

95 points Wine Enthusiast

Outer quote mark It’s impossible for a Cabernet to be richer, more opulent or more hedonistically stunning on opening than this beauty from veteran Phelps. Admittedly, there are significant tannins. But the wine delivers a broadside of the sweetest, ripest cassis fruit imaginable, along with richly toasted oak. It’s the kind of Cab that will dazzle even an amateur. Absolutely gorgeous now, with immaculate elegance. Inner quote mark (2/2008)

94 points Int'l Wine Cellar

Outer quote mark Deep ruby. Inviting nose combines black cherry, licorice, tar, mocha and lead pencil. Lush, silky and compellingly sweet, with harmonious acidity for the year. Classic currant and cedar flavors are broad and thoroughly ripe without going over the top. Huge but shapely wine, finishing with captivating sweetness and noble tannins. A great vintage for this property. This was bottled in December of 2006, a bit earlier than recent vintages and obviously a good idea. Inner quote mark (5/2007)

94 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark A deep, rich, profound Cabernet, with ripe, plush currant, black cherry and ripe plum fruit that's well-focused, supple and harmonious. This is intense and powerful, yet elegant and refined, with amazing structure, depth and length. (JL) Inner quote mark (10/2007)

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2004 Joseph Phelps "Backus" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

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Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

- Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal, however dominant, in the wines of Bordeaux. Today it is the most planted red varietal in the world. Identified as a descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon needs to be planted in warmer climates to fully ripen. Its small berries can easily be identified for their distinctive blue color, thick skins and high tannins. And while the varietal has its own definitive characteristics: green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them, it is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking. A relatively new varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon started making inroads into the wines of the Médoc and Graves in the late-18th century. Today it is also dominant in the up-and-coming Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux and can also be found in Southwest France. It is the companion varietal to Sangiovese in Italy's Super Tuscans and is planted all over Europe, stretching to lesser-known winegrowing regions like Russia and Lebanon. In the Americas Cabernet Sauvignon has found champions in every nook and cranny of California and among winemakers in Washington, where it complements plantings of Merlot. In South America, Cab thrives in Chile, but can also be found in smaller amounts in Argentina and even in Mexico.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

California

- With the explosive growth that California's wine industry has seen the past several years, it's easy to view winemaking and grape growing in the Golden State as a recent phenomenon. And while it's true that California's viticultural history is brief compared to several European countries, this state's roots date back well over 200 years. Due to the enormous response to California wine within the United States and worldwide, there are thousands of excellent and diverse wines being produced within the state each year.

Specific Appellation:

Napa Valley

- America's most famous wine region, which encompasses a varied geographical territory running about 20 miles long from the San Francisco Bay northward to the foot of Mount St. Helena. Napa's great diversity, both in terms of climate and terroir, has led to the creation of a number of smaller AVAs like Stags Leap District, Rutherford, Howell Mountain, Oakville and Mount Veeder, among others. Cabernet and chardonnay still reign supreme, but just about everything under the sun is grown in Napa Valley, in quality levels ranging from $2 jug wine to $500 a bottle California cab.

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