Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (JS: 95, RP: 91)

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，他為一個工程而來到Napa Valley，自此被深深吸引，繼而搬到當地開展其葡萄酒事業。酒莊的旗艦作Insignia，用Cabernet Sauvignon及其他波爾多品種混釀，其中數個年份獲Robert Parker評為100分，可說是當地的神級Cult Wine！除了Insignia外，酒莊有其他相對實惠而優質的葡萄酒。這款以 Cabernet Sauvignon 為主調的混釀，就是其中一個好例子。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：
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec 及 1% Cabernet Franc

品酒筆記：
(James Suckling's rating: 95 points)
非常芳香，包括藍莓、黑加侖子、紅色甘草糖和花香。酒體中等至飽滿，略帶嚼勁。果味富有深度，豐富又美味。以這年份來說，表現極佳。非常經典。

(Robert Parker's rating: 91 points)
深石榴紅到紫色。散發出烘烤李子、燉車厘子、桑葚和溫暖的黑加侖子的味道。有一絲香料蛋糕、胡椒碎和煙葉的味道。酒體中等至飽滿，帶有濃郁的黑莓和異國香料氣息。單寧柔和，清新活潑，餘韻悠長，令人印象深刻。出產12,270箱，約正常產量的一半，比2016年更細膩和緊緻。

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:
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes:
(James Suckling's rating: 95 points)
Very aromatic with blueberries and blackcurrants, as well as red licorice. Floral, too. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and lightly chewy. Lovely depth of fruit here. Rich and flavorful. Extremely well done for the vintage. Shows more finesse and tightness than 2016. Very classic.

(Robert Parker's rating: 91 points)
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon sashays out of the glass with open-knit, alluring baked plums, stewed cherries, mulberries and warm cassis with hints of spice cake, cracked pepper and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a great intensity of black berry and exotic spice layers, framed by soft tannins and lively freshness, finishing with impressive length. 12,270 cases were made - about half the normal production.