2011 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard
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Tasting notes
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.
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Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
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The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard has closed down quite a bit since it was bottled in January of this year. Lavender, white flowers, blueberry jam and spices are some of the many notes that reluctantly open up over time. 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.
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.
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard boasts a nearly eternal finish. Today, the flavors are understandably quite primary, but it is the wine's texture that impresses most. Backus fans will not want to miss the 2011. It is an exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and without question one of the wines of the vintage. Raspberry jam, cloves, pomegranate, mint and rose petals linger on the close. Readers who want to know what great terroir is in Napa Valley might want to check out this exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2011 is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Only two of the six parcels were used in 2011.
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.