Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 1985 Rheinhessen from a cooler zone of

from a cooler zone of the valley

the 2011 impresses for its depth and polish

It is not as expressive as the 2012—it is a bit more backward—but it is a more serious wine in many ways

There is very good richness and volume to the sleekly muscular middle weight flavors that possess just enough minerality to notice

A Napa Valley classic

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard 1985 Rheinhessen from a cooler zone ofThe backward 1985 Eisele Vineyard is marvelously concentrated, but extremely tannic and at least 5 10 years away from full maturity. Impressively endowed, well focused, dense, powerful, thick, and tannic, this wine leaves little doubt that the extract, ripeness, and quantity of fruit are more than sufficient to balance out the wine's tannic ferocity.