2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sleeping Lady Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Although the 2018 vintage in Napa started with relatively late budbreak, cooler, even temperatures made for a long growing season, and producing relatively plentiful yields – yet without any dilution, thanks to the extended season. Phelps harvested from 17th October, with the blend moving back towards around two thirds Clone 191 Cabernet from the original block and a third Clone 7. Fermented in 25% new French oak, Phelps left the 2018 on skins for 23 days – slightly longer than other vintages, feeling structured fruit needed more time to reach its potential, echoed with its maturation in 75% new oak for 20 months. Phelps notes how generous this wine has been from the beginning, but has developed further opulence and depth in bottle. This is a beautiful wine: the nose is intense, exuberant with dark fruit and a satisfying herbaceous edge. Although the blackcurrant and black plum fruit is beautifully ripe and smooth, there’s bright acidity that brings gorgeous freshness – making for a lithe and vibrant palate. The tannins are round and sleek, lending effortless structure, while there’s a saline, savoury edge to the long finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Sleeping Lady is built on a solid foundation of superbly structured tannins—firm, muscular, and robust. This is the most powerful vintage yet, with broad-shouldered tannins complemented by juniper, sage, black pepper notes and a hint of charcuterie. Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers blackberry and blue fruit aromatics alongside tobacco and espresso bean, with the tannins continuing to build through the finish. This is an impressively fresh and intriguing wine, with generous fruit character yet a coiled, reserved structure that carries remarkable tension
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in color. It races out with pure scents of cassis, juicy black plums, and black raspberry plus wafts of dried Provence herbs, mossy tree bark, and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is firm, grainy, lively, and taut, with muscular fruit and a bright, energetic finish.
Gorgeous aromas of crushed blackberries and black raspberries. Currants, too. Purity of fruit. Full, layered and not heavy at all. Pleasantly austere at the end with tension and focus. Just beginning to open. Better after 2024, but already delicious.
About the producer
Ad Vivum is a tiny Napa project from winemaker Chris Phelps, previously of Dominus and Caymus. Created in 2007, Phelps makes one wine, exclusively from two blocks in the Sleeping Lady vineyard, the southernmost site in Yountville.