1997 Joseph Phelps Merlot Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
Phelps' Merlot program is coming of age. Approximately 10% Cabernet Sauvignon is included in the blend, and the wine is aged in primarily French oak with a touch of American. About 30% of the barrels are new. The beautiful 1997 Merlot boasts a dense ruby color in addition to an attractive bouquet of berry fruit infused with smoke and mocha. This full-bodied, rich Merlot has a fat, succulent, plush texture, and a chewy, heady finish. It will drink well for a decade. Tel. (707) 963-2745; Fax (707) 963-4831
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Ruby-red. Aromas of black raspberry syrup, tar and menthol, plus a meaty nuance. Fat and sweet, with flavors of crystallized black cherry, dark berries and toasty, spicy oak. Ripe acidity gives this rather large-scaled merlot good balance. Finishes with ripe, even tannins. A Bordeaux-styled California merlot that's more than simply fruity.
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.