Joseph Phelps – Backus 2016, Cabernet Sauvignon – Oakville, Napa Valley

The nose is elegant and offers power, a very fine grain and a small spicy side. It reveals notes of wild blackberry, wild cassis and small notes of violet associated with touches of wild strawberry, Cuben pepper as well as an imperceptible hint of clove. The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers a mineral/finely acidulous frame, tension, gourmandize as well as density. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of fleshy small red berries, cherry, fleshy cassis and small notes of rose associated with fine hints of liquorice stick, dark chocolate, caramelization as well as very discreet hints of clove. Tannins are elegant and very finely firm.