2011 Joseph Phelps Syrah Napa Valley

The 2011 Syrah wraps around the palate with gorgeous depth and radiance. Sweet plum, black cherries, menthol, licorice and leather notes flesh out in an expressive, layered Syrah loaded with class and personality. The style is a bit overt and fruit-driven for the year, with fabulous texture and balance. All the elements are in the right place. In 2011, Phelps did not produce their vineyard-designate Hyde Syrah, all the best fruit went into the straight Syrah bottling. The 2011 was made from fully destemmed fruit.

The 2011 Syrah, which comes from the Hyde Vineyard, was aged 17 months in 30% new and 70% neutral French oak. It is an evolved, seductive, sensual, elegant Syrah exhibiting a dark plum/ruby color as well as a rich nose of spring flowers intermixed with black currants, pepper, bouquet garni and roasted meats. The floral character suggests some Viognier might be included in the blend, but that is not the case. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. All of Joseph Phelps’ Sonoma Coast Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs will be included in the Sonoma report in the December, 2013 issue. One of the visionaries in California’s Rhone Ranger movement that began a quarter of a century ago, Phelps continues to focus on their Syrah program. I have mixed emotions about that because they made some wonderful wines from some other Rhone varietals in the past under the terminated Mistral label. On the www.erobertparker.com website, I will be posting one of the most historical vertical tastings I have ever done, that of Joseph Phelps’ proprietary red Bordeaux blend called Insignia, which was one of California’s first proprietary red Meritage wines launched in 1974. While visiting this winery in early September, I had the privilege of tasting every vintage from 1974 to 2012. This has always been a remarkable wine and sadly I am old enough to remember the 1974, to which I gave a great rating, but then suggested it be drunk within 10-12 years. I never thought it would last. Of course, it turned out to be one of the great mature wines of the vertical tasting, but more on that on the web site. The five vintages of Insignia which consumers should be keeping an eye on are 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Here are my notes on those wines which are either on the market or soon will be. By the way, the production of Insignia over the last 15-20 years has ranged from a low of 10,000-12,000 cases to a whopping 20,000 cases, often with the highest production levels in some of the greatest years. There are usually around 750 to 1,300 cases of the Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard. Usually 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is fashioned from the red soils of the Oakville hillsides (a spectacular sight as you drive south on the Silverado Trail). Tel. (800) 707-5789