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The November 2025 Auction: Part 4
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1 / 2Lot 601
Estimate: $200
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Collection name
Reviews
98+JD
"Looking at the Backus Vineyard, which was purchased by the Phelps team in 1996, this wine is a tiny production, single vineyard release that’s normally 85% or more Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of Malbec and Petite Verdot. The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is an incredible wine, and I suspect the finest of the three vintages reviewed here. Gorgeous blackcurrants, graphite, lead pencil, chocolate, and gravelly, earthy minerality all give way to a powerful, concentrated Cabernet that has flawless balance, building tannins, and a huge finish. Count yourself lucky if you have bottles of this in the cellar, as it’s going to offer up tons of pleasure over the coming three decades or more."
Region
Red
Country
Score
"Looking at the Backus Vineyard, which was purchased by the Phelps team in 1996, this wine is a tiny production, single vineyard release that’s normally 85% or more Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of Malbec and Petite Verdot. The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is an incredible wine, and I suspect the finest of the three vintages reviewed here. Gorgeous blackcurrants, graphite, lead pencil, chocolate, and gravelly, earthy minerality all give way to a powerful, concentrated Cabernet that has flawless balance, building tannins, and a huge finish. Count yourself lucky if you have bottles of this in the cellar, as it’s going to offer up tons of pleasure over the coming three decades or more."
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The fourth-largest wine producer in the world, led by California. American fine wine is defined by ripe, expressive fruit and a spirit of innovation, with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon among the most sought-after wines globally.
California's most prestigious wine region, celebrated worldwide for opulent, structured Cabernet Sauvignon. Diverse soils and mountain-to-valley-floor sites yield wines of remarkable ripeness, power and longevity.
A prestigious Napa sub-AVA on the valley floor, home to iconic estates and celebrated for richly textured, powerful Cabernet Sauvignon.
2016 in Napa Valley capped a run of drought years with a near-ideal, balanced growing season; the Cabernets are ripe, structured and classically proportioned, powerful yet balanced, with fine tannins and excellent aging potential.
The world's most planted premium red grape, yielding deeply colored, tannic and structured wines with cassis, cedar and graphite notes. Firm tannins and acidity make it exceptionally age-worthy, whether as a varietal or the backbone of a Bordeaux blend.