1995 Joseph Phelps Eisrebe

Readers with a sweet tooth will be happy to learn that for over two decades Phelps has boasted an impressive track record for its beerenauslese and trockenbeerenauslese-styled sweet wines. The newest offering is the 1995 Eisrebe, a nectar-like TBA wine with 22% residual sugar and low alcohol. The wine is viscous and syrupy, yet remarkably fresh and elegant - largely because of tangy acidity. Made from the Scheurebe grape, it is a wine to drink by itself, or with simple fruit desserts. The 1995 is sweet and rich, as well as well-balanced. Predicting how these wines will evolve is always difficult, but this offering should last for 5-8+ years. Joseph Phelps' winemaker, Craig Williams, was enthusiastic about the potential quality of the 1996 vintage, and at the same time, lamented the fact that yields were down once again, with production for the Cabernet Sauvignon off 10%-25% from the relatively modest yields of 1995. As I have indicated in past issues, this winery has been on top of its game since the 1991 vintage, turning out a bevy of top-notch Cabernets, along with their increasingly popular Vin de Mistral wines. Current and upcoming releases continue to reflect a commitment to high quality and innovative thinking. Tel. (707) 963-2745; Fax (707) 963-4831