Joseph Phelps Vineyard - Napa Wine Tasting Review

Joseph Phelps Winery in Napa, Photo by Bruce Damonte

Joseph Phelps Vineyards is next on my series of day trips from Marin County. Just about every time I drive up to Napa I remark how lucky we are to have a world-class wine region just 45 minutes drive from Marin. I was excited to tour Joseph Phelps as I have been a big fan of their Insignia and Backus blends for quite some time.

photo of paul and bonnie edwards and joseph phelps in the tasting room

Paul and Bonnie Edwards In The Tasting Room At Joseph Phelps Vineyards

We were invited as the guests of Paul and Bonnie Edwards of Marin Vineyards, long-time members of Joseph Phelps’ wine club. They shared many stories about the founding of Joseph Phelps and of the famous (or is that infamous?) wine club receptions the winery throws every year. Estate-grown wines include Insignia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard (the single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville) and Eisrébe, a dessert wine made from the Scheurebe grape. Additionally, they began producing estate-grown Syrah in 2012.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards produces world-class wines, with thirty-one of thirty-seven vintages rated 90 or more points by various wine publications, including three perfect 100 point scores for the 1991, 1997 and 2002 vintages from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate.

Robert Parker on Joseph Phelps...

“Joseph Phelps was one of the great visionaries of Napa Valley. His legacy is one of extraordinary quality. He was one of the first to see the merit in blending, which his legendary Insignia, which first debuted in 1974, has proven year after year. It remains one of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blends. He also wasn’t content to just stay at home in Napa, but branched out with cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards on the Sonoma Coast. Joe Phelps was a leader, and one of the greats of the wine world.” -Robert Parker

The Gorgeous Entrance Hall at Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Having recently completed a renovation of the original winery building which now serves as a collection of tasting rooms and also houses an impressive commercial kitchen, Joseph Phelps Vineyards provides a luxurious tasting experience that is reminiscent of a visit to a boutique hotel. The family commissioned Baldauf Catton Von Eckartsberg (BCV) Architects and Brandenburger Associates AIA to completely re-design and re-imagine the building, completing the project in late 2015. Regrettably, Joseph Phelps died just before completion.

Another Magnificent Space At Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Wine Educator Francoise Larum

Our “wine educator” for the morning was Françoise Larum, who impressed me with her knowledge and sense of humor. She seated us in one of the intimate tasting rooms which resemble luxurious dining rooms, and served us a flight of wines starting with a 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, a 2013 Viognier, a 2012 Pinot Noir, their flagship 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, and stars of the morning and of the winery, the 2012 Insignia and the 2012 Cabernet Backus. All of the wines were delicious but the Insignia and Backus lived up to their world-renowned reputations.

If you are looking for a great winery in a beautiful setting, Joseph Phelps should be on your list. To schedule a visit, call +1-800-707-5789 or outside the USA dial +1-(707) 963-2745.

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