Joseph Phelps 2005 Backus Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville)
Score: 92 points

Shows off a distinctive minty herbal character and is dry and firmly structured on the palate, with glimpses of red currant and black cherry peeking through. Yet this is tight, focused, concentrated and balanced, and once it’s past this phase, it should provide plenty of excitement. Best from 2011 through 2017. J.L.

Joseph Phelps 2005 Insignia (Napa Valley)
Score: 92 points

Smooth, supple and complex, offering wonderful aromas and serving up a range of herb- and mineral-laced currant, black cherry, blackberry, sage and pebble notes. Ends with a clipped edge… J.L.

Joseph Phelps 2005 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine (Napa Valley)
Score: 93+ points

Highly complex nose melds currant, black licorice, lead pencil, mocha, bitter chocolate and fresh herbs. Deep and sweet in the middle, with juicy acidity giving shape to concentrated, silky flavors of cassis and dark chocolate. This, too, is downright Bordeaux-like. Finishes with broad, lush tannins and excellent length…

Freestone Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
Score: 90 points

Firm and intense. Spicy wild berry, loamy earth, dusty herb sage and mineral notes fan out nicely, gaining depth and dimension on the long, complex finish. Best from 2010 through 2017. J.L.

Freestone Vineyards 2006 Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast)
Score: 90-92 points

(Tasted from tank.) Pale gold. Aromas of pineapple, nectarine and butterscotch, lifted by a whiff of lemon drop. Dense and firm-edged, with a distinctly saline quality adding interest to the nectarine and mineral flavors. Racy acidity really carries the fruit… Serious Chardonnay in the making.

Freestone Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)
Score: 90-92 points

Perfumed aromas of coffee liqueur, mint and cherries macerated in alcohol. Sweet, sappy and complex, with chewy flavors of blueberry, black cherry, brown spices and dried herbs. This, too, boasts very good acidity and lift.