Joseph Phelps: 5330 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA. 94558 (707) 261-5251
With their 1974 Insignia release in 1978, Joseph Phelps became the first Napa Valley Winery to ever produce a Bordeaux-Style varietal under a proprietary name. They hardly need an introduction from me. Still, Luba Rusyn, Guest Services Manager and her crew really laid out the red carpet for me and my ragtag crew of off-duty tour guides. They are clearly skilled and knowledgable and will orient, inform and delight with the best while pouring the wonderful Phelps' wines.
In 2004 Wine Spectator named Insignia "Wine of the Year". It costs $200, okay? Among other things, Joseph Phelps offers a wide array of tastings, courses and seminars along a dizzying spectrum of wine topics and time slots, including an Insignia Blending Class. Unlike many less-known or reputable but more exclusive wineries in the Valley, Joseph Phelps has not let their fame go to their heads. Although the property appears imposing from the entrance, I still found the tasting experience there to be intimate, and the attention top notch. Still I'm sure that by the time Brett, Greg and I made it to Phelps, we were easily entertained.
Every wine is a standout. Price points in the $30 - $56 dollar range, excepting the Insignia and Backus Cab which come in at $200 and $225 (Backus '06 $250). They are currently offering a $25 Terrace Tasting I, consisting of:
2010 St Helena Sauvignon Blanc barrel fermented, native yeast, new & neutral french oak "puncheons".
2009 Freestone Chardonnary, cool climate Sonoma Coast 100% new french oak aged.
2008 Freestone Pinot Noir, same cool climate Freestone vineyard 100% estate grown.
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley; blended with Merlot, Petit Verdot & Malbec. Barrel aged in 50% new french and american oak.
2008 Insignia New Release.
and a 2009 Eisrebe (ice-rie eebe) desert wine made in an Eiswein-style from estate grown Scheurebe, an unusual German-and-Austrian-grown varietal, which in Europe is known as Samling 88 (seedling 88). If anyone is wondering what to get me for a holiday gift, this will do nicely.
For those interested in exploring the cab and Insignia library experience in greater depth, they offer a Terrace II tasting as well at $55, which includes all the above wines.
Francoise, Greg and Jurg poured in a room with a baby grand piano, and a commanding view of the vineyards. Peaceful and bucolic; not another property in sight. If you have the time and the inclination, Joseph Phelps will not disappoint.
Josephs Phelps Terrace Views |
Brett and Seth on the Terrace at Joseph Phelps. |
One other thing about Phelps, the seminars.
- Insignia Blending (Blend the Bordeaux varietals to form your very own Insignia Blend. Play winemaker for a day!!)
- Aroma Challenge (identify 6 whites and 6 reds in the Le Nez du Vin aroma identity challenge?)
- Barrel Seminar (Discover the place the barrel holds in the making of wines)
- Freestone and Phelps (a tasting combined with historic background on the formation and development of the vineyards).
- Single Vineyard Cabs (find out how location, soil & climate effect flavor profile)
Every day JP offers 90-minute courses twice per day. Read on later this week for an update on the "Aroma Challenge" as I am hoping to enroll Friday.
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