Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (RP: 92+)

Joseph Phelps是美國Napa Valley最知名的酒莊之一。1973年由當時一位很成功的建築商人Joseph Phelps創立，他因為一個工程而來到Napa Valley，自此被深深吸引，更搬到當地開展其葡萄酒事業。酒莊的旗艦作稱為Insignia，用Cabernet Sauvignon及其他波爾多混釀品種混合而成，Robert Parker曾將數個年份評為100分，可說是當地神級Cult Wine。不過，很多人不知道酒莊有其他相對實惠而優質的葡萄酒，這款同樣用 Cabernet Sauvignon 做主調的混釀，就是其中一個例子。適合年輕早飲，有Baby Insignia之稱。

產地：
Napa Valley, 美國

種類:
紅葡萄酒

葡萄品種：
97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot

品酒筆記：
(Robert Parker's rating: 92+ points)
2018年份的收成來自Napa Valley南面St. Helena、Oak Knoll District和Stags Leap的葡萄園。40%於新橡木桶(51%美國橡木桶、49%法國橡木桶)，60%於一至兩年的法國和美國橡木桶中陳釀18個月。石榴般深紅色，帶有黑莓碎、野生藍莓和黑加侖子的香味，以及淡淡的丁香、薄荷、森林地面、鉛筆屑和野生鼠尾草的味道。酒體中等，濃郁優雅，充滿黑果、藍果和溫和的草本氣息，單寧緊緻，帶有夥粒感。餘韻悠長而富礦物感。出品有36,000箱。

Joseph Phelps is one of Napa Valley's most prominent wine producers.  It was established in 1973 by Joseph Phelps who was running a sucessful construction company at that time. He fell in love with Napa Valley and started his wine industry. The estate's flagship wine is Insignia, a blend based on Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of other Bordeaux varieties, several vintages have been awarded 100 points by Robert Parker, which is regarded as the significant Cult Wine.  But many people do not know that there are also many relatively affordable but high quality wines, this is one of the examples. It also uses Cabernet Sauvignon as a keynote, which is suitable to drink young and known as Baby Insignia.

Origin:
Napa Valley, USA

Type:
Red/Rouge (Still)

Grape Varieties:
97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot

Tasting Notes:
(Robert Parker's rating: 92+ points)
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is coming from vineyard locations in south Napa Valley, St. Helena, Oak Knoll District and Stags Leap District. It was aged for 18 months in 40% new (51% American, 49% French) and 60% one- to two-year-old French and American oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it does pirouettes out of the glass with notes of crushed blackberries, wild blueberries and ripe blackcurrants plus hints of lilacs, menthol, forest floor and pencil shavings with a touch of wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate is as intense as it is elegant, featuring layers of fresh black and blue fruits and gentle herbal accents, framed by firm, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and minerally. 36,000 cases were made.