Joseph Phelps, Freestone, Sonoma County, California, 2010

Sweet, poised, elegant nose. Lean and refined, quite oaky but lifted and elegant; understated but packed with flavour. Good length. About the producer<br /> Missouri-born Joseph Phelps founded his namesake vineyard in Napa Valley in 1973 after buying a cattle ranch just off the Silverado Trail. He won early fame by making California’s first varietal Syrah. Phelps was one of the first California wineries to produce a premium Bordeaux blend from its own grapes, and went on to pioneer Rhône varieties. Phelps’ best known wine is Insignia, a Bordeaux blend first bottled in 1974. Over the years, the winery has been on a mission to use 100% estate grown grapes in its wines. Following several purchases, it owned eight vineyards from St Helena to Carneros as of March 2016.