I get this wine in most years, and it rarely dissapoints. For $35 it's a good value in Napa Cabs IMHO.

I only see 2001 Cabs in Costco. It was okay(1999 was better I think).I've heard 2002 is a good one so I can't wait to try.

Thanks for the post. I had this at a tasting and liked it. I subsequently bought 6 bottles, but at a higher price ($38.00) then what you paid. However, I was going to sit on it until 2007 before I started opening.

grossie

Cactus? How many cactii have you tasted for this descriptor?

Hug a cactus at your own risk (and wear a thick coat).

BirD

BirDungy, Cactus is a common ingredient in Mexican and Southwestern food. It's available in the supermarkets here in season. We get ours from a little old lady at our local flea market though who removes the thorns and chops it.

It's best boiled then you can saute it or just add it as a condiment, like you might a chopped onion. You can just cook it straight off, but it tends to get gummy. I like to boil it, then saute with onion, and tomato to make a warm salsa. The flavor is similiar to artichoke hearts or baby asparagus.

I had the '01 last night with a filet. I thought it was very good. I would like to try the '02 as well. I think that it is a wine to enjoy now vs one to cellar.

t - and G

I would have thought this wine would go well with a nice rib-eye of cactus. Or perhaps the fillet cut?

grossie is a Canadian - we didn't have many cactii up in Montreal and as far as I know, there are not many cactus farms round the Chicago area either.

BirD

Good to have a brother to keep you honest.

Maybe he's been hanging out at the Frontera Grill? Got a taste for the stuff after visiting Santa Fe? Who knows for sure. I'd bet you can find cactus in Chicago though.

Looks like you can even find them in the U.K. these days. Try the Pork Stew with Nopales recipe and a Chinon or Cab Franc

What size does cactus have to be to eat? Do larger ones taste diluted, and small ones sour? What is a 'just the right size to eat' cactus? What role does terroir play in determining flavour profile? Does planting concentration create better cactus? Does the cactus butcher play a role in determining taste or is down to nature? Does biodynamic farming matter?

My son has a small one on his windowsill. Can't say it looks very appetizing though...

BirD

funny thing is, there are answers to all those questions I think I've had this talk with Gusbo in fact at an offline.

The size of your cactus is not important, it's how you use it.

Always wear a glove when you handle your cactus...for safety

Regarding the Phelps,

It is around $50 here in Ohio. For those that have tasted, still worth that price? I am curious. I purchased the '99, but passed on the '00 and '01.

LJ

Bir D -

tlily is right, there actually are answers to all those questions - think about Tequila

I don't know the shipping laws are to Ohio, but the 02 Phelps Cab is 37.99 on winex.com (California).

tanglenet,

Only problem is w/ shipping it will take it back up to 50.00.

LJ

ouch!

LJ- the answer is: It depends.

If $50 represents a good price for this type of wine for you then it's worth it. (what a bullcrap answer that was!) IMO, and in my cellar, the answer is no, I wouldn't pay $50 for this. I think that up to $40 is probably fair. Beyond that there are too many other good Napa cabs to be worth it, especially with 01, 02, and 03 all being good years.

I think the difference in taste between different tequilas is due only to the maker. Terroir does not exist for cactii.

BirD

2002 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon

AllRed opened this wine at his home on Saturday when my wife and I stopped over for drinks after dinner. WS just rated this wine 92 points. AllRed found this in a discount bin (because the label was stained) for a price which even made me jealous.

I liked this wine very much but then I have always liked Joseph Phelps regular Cab bottlings. This was medium bodied and well balanced. Not an over the top wine for being so young. Notes of red fruit and vanilla oak. 90-91 points.

VM

I had picked up the 2001 at $20/btl, and wasn't sure if I wanted to go $13+ more to snag the 2002. Found this in the discount bin and figured it wasn't going to be any cheaper.

Opened and poured straight into a decanter. Dark purple colored, very tannic at this stage, and tight. There's some dark fruit barely emerging. Worth looking for in the $30-$35 range, but put them away until 2007 at the earliest. (90 pts.)

2002 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa, California $48/$36
Decanted 3 ½ hrs. Rich nose of black and blueberry. Lots of supple blackfruit flavors with light notes of vanilla and spice. Full bodied and polished. Well balanced structure with smooth tannins and a consistent palate from the start to the nice finish. 8/28/2005 S92


Excellent Cab if you can get it around $36.

Opened a 375ml last night. Tried out of bottle, plus 2 hours decanting. Really disappointing. All fruit, flat nose and flat taste, no structure. A weak fruit bomb. Just nothing going on. 85-86pts

Since I had quite a few more 750's, opened another tonight. Poured in riedel glass and decanter. Wow! What a difference. Was great right out of the bottle. Nice nose of spice & dark fruit, smooth on the palate, blackberry & slight vanilla, nice balance even with low acidity, long tasty finish. Can't believe it's the same wine as last night. Couldn't put it down. 92-94pts.

I'm wondering if the 375ml experience is telling me to drink up as the aging window on this wine in a 750 bottle will be shorter than expected and will peak soon. Or maybe just bottle variation. Loved the wine tonight, was worried last night I had 7 dogs in my cellar.