Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (1990)

About this wine

The 1990 Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Joseph Phelps Vineyards offers a full-bodied experience with ripe blackberries, mint, and dark chocolate flavors. The wine's firm tannins provide structure, while a spicy, lush finish adds depth. This vintage is noted for its bold and vibrant expression, characteristic of the Oakville region. The Backus Vineyard's unique terroir contributes to the wine's distinctive profile, making it a noteworthy example of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

About the grape

Cabernet Sauvignon, a grape that emerged in 17th-century France from a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, is renowned for its thick skins and hardy vines, making it well-suited to various climates. In Oakville, California, the grape thrives in the region's well-drained gravelly soils and warm climate, contributing to the area's reputation for producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The 1990 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a prime example, sourced from a vineyard planted in 1975 on steep, west-facing slopes with gravelly soil, conditions that enhance the grape's concentration and flavor intensity. This vineyard's unique terroir imparts distinctive characteristics to the wine, including pronounced tannins and flavors of chocolate, mint, and ripe berries.

Quick facts

• 🍫 The 1990 Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Joseph Phelps Vineyards is renowned for its distinctive minty and chocolatey nose, a hallmark of this vineyard's unique terroir.
• 🏆 This wine received a rating of 92 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, highlighting its exceptional quality and aging potential.
• 🍇 The Backus Vineyard is situated in Oakville, Napa Valley, an area celebrated for producing some of the world's most prestigious Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
• 🏡 Joseph Phelps Vineyards, established in 1973, is a family-owned winery committed to crafting world-class, estate-grown wines, with the Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon being one of their standout offerings.
• 🍷 The 1990 vintage of this wine is noted for its full-bodied, ripe, and unctuous flavors, complemented by chewy tannins and a spicy, lush finish, making it a memorable experience for wine enthusiasts.

Palate profile

Producer

Joseph Phelps Vineyards was founded in 1973 by Joe Phelps, a former construction executive from Colorado, who transformed a 600-acre cattle ranch near St. Helena, California, into a renowned winery. In 1974, the winery introduced 'Insignia,' the first proprietary Bordeaux-style blend in California, marking a significant innovation in the state's wine industry. Over the years, Joseph Phelps Vineyards expanded its estate to include 525 acres across 11 vineyards in Napa Valley and the Sonoma Coast, emphasizing sustainable practices and land preservation. In 2022, the winery was acquired by Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), integrating it into a global portfolio of luxury wine brands.