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: 2011 Joseph Phelps "Backus" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 Joseph Phelps "Backus" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

SKU #1225088 96 points Vinous

Outer quote mark The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is a wild, exotic wine. In 2011, this fruit was picked very late, at the end of September, and that results in a wine that is decidedly ripe in its fruit profile. The more savory qualities typical of the year add layers of aromatic presence. Blackberry jam, creme de cassis, chocolate and cloves linger on the soft, plush finish. The 2011 is a decidedly exotic Backus. Persistent and silky, the 2011 is easy to appreciate today for its overall balance, but it will be some years before all the elements fully come together. (AG) Inner quote mark (10/2021)

93 points Int'l Wine Cellar

Outer quote mark Bright medium ruby. Complex rocky perfume melds plum, raspberry, tobacco, dark chocolate, nutty oak, mocha and menthol. Sweet, ripe and deep, with a plushness and generosity of texture rare for this vintage. Intense dark berry and mineral flavors are complicated by menthol and milk chocolate. Finishes with a broad dusting of ripe tannins and impressive juicy length. Much of this vineyard was picked before the early-October rains. Incidentally, Joseph Phelps did a lot of replanting of the 1975 vines here following the 2012 harvest. (ST) Inner quote mark (5/2014)

91-93 points Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark Many consumers may end up preferring the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard over the 2010 because the vintage produced such forward, precocious, soft wines. Where well-made, they possess plenty of endearing fruit and charm, but they do not have the tannic clout of great vintages such as 2010. A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec, it came in at 14.2% alcohol, but production is a small 800 cases. The bouquet includes attractive notes of scorched earth, chocolate, espresso roast, red and black currants and hints of underbrush and earth. Full-bodied (unusual for a 2011) with soft tannins and loads of fruit, it should drink well for 10-15 years. (RP) Inner quote mark (10/2013)

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2011 Joseph Phelps "Backus" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

Price: $179.99

Quantity:

VN: 96

ST: 93

RP: 91 - 93

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Additional Information:

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.