2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Looking at the Backus Vineyard, which was purchased by the Phelps team in 1996, this wine is a tiny production, single vineyard release that’s normally 85% or more Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of Malbec and Petite Verdot. The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is an incredible wine, and I suspect the finest of the three vintages reviewed here. Gorgeous blackcurrants, graphite, lead pencil, chocolate, and gravelly, earthy minerality all give way to a powerful, concentrated Cabernet that has flawless balance, building tannins, and a huge finish. Count yourself lucky if you have bottles of this in the cellar, as it’s going to offer up tons of pleasure over the coming three decades or more.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is sensual, creamy and super-expressive. Black cherry, plum, mocha, dried flowers and lavender are some of the many notes that flesh out. I am surprised by how accessible the 2016 is. In the early going, the Backus Cabernet can be quite imposing. The 2016, on the other hand, is pure sensuality.
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot, aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak and bottled in Jan 2019. Deep garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the gate with bold blackberry pie, black currant pastilles and warm blueberries notes with touches of menthol, mocha, cardamom, iron ore and cinnamon stick plus a waft of black olives. The full-bodied palate delivers mouth-coating black and blue fruits with a vast array of earth and spicy sparks, framed by firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. 2000 cases were made.
Shows very ripe fruit and excitement on the nose with dark berries, blueberries and pine-needle undertones. Full-bodied, firm and chewy with a solid and rich finish. Seriously structured red here. Try it after 2022.
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.