2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is a massive, youthful blockbuster with an opaque purple color as well as firm tannins (despite the general openness and ripeness of the 2002 Napa Cabernets). Almost overly rich, it has a long evolution ahead of it given its firm tannins and off-the-charts concentration and extract. One has to admire this cuvee for its extraordinary structure and multidimensional personality, but at present, even with airing, the primary aromas of new oak, loamy soil, graphite, incense and black fruits are all one can expect. In the mouth, the wine remains brutally tannic, but there is enough stuffing to easily balance out the wine’s structure. It is a young, possibly great wine for the ages, and I would not hesitate to put my money where my mouth is. This 2002 should be absolutely amazing in 25-30 years. The Backus Vineyard is planted in the red soils of the steep hillsides of Oakville, overlooking Screaming Eagle and Rudd Estate. Joseph Phelps’ most famous wine, which first debuted in 1974, is their proprietary red wine blend called Insignia. Tel. (707) 963-2745; Fax (707) 963-4831
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(like the 2002 Insignia, this was bottled in January of this year) Good medium ruby. Cassis, kirsch , menthol and roasted herbs on the nose. Rather muscular on the attack, then dense, lush and highly concentrated in the middle, with a deep core of dark fruit and bitter chocolate flavors. In comparison to the Insignia, this is a more rustic style of wine, but the concentration of phenolic material is impressive, and this 2002 is finer than the 2001 release. Finishes with excellent length and youthfully tough tannins, but does not build on the back end with quite the same subtlety as the Insignia. I'd wait a good six or seven years on this wine. The Backus vineyard, located across the valley from Harlan Estate, is now farmed biodynamically. The 1999 release was the last vintage entirely from vines planted in 1975; Phelps began replanting the vineyard in '97 and '98, after buying it in '96.
Deep, bright ruby. Penetrating, vibrant aromas of black fruits, bitter chocolate, graphite and mint. Juicy and intensely flavored, showing more finesse than the 2001 bottling. A huge wine but almost magically light on its feet. Finishes dense and chocolatey, with firm but fine tannins. Looks to be a great vintage in the making for this bottling.
About the producer
California winery Joseph Phelps is best known for its flagship Insignia cuvée, one of the first and finest proprietary red wines in the Napa Valley.