91 -93 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2005

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is relatively civilized and more conventional than the blockbuster 2001 and 2002. The 2003 possesses a deep ruby/purple color as well as strong aromas of burnt earth, smoke, black currants, and cassis. Dense with good sweetness as well as more stuffing and flesh than the Insignia, but high levels of tannin, it should be at its finest between 2008-2022.

95 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2005

The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard may ultimately be as good, perhaps even better than the 2002. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by a sumptuous bouquet of white flowers, blackberries, blueberries, a Graves-like scorched earth character (creosote, hot rocks, whatever), and a huge, opulent, full-bodied finish with profound richness, depth, and persistence. The good news is there are 1,300 cases of this amazing wine. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025.

96 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2006

Full-bodied, powerful, and rich, the deep purple-hued 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard boasts a rich, sumptuous bouquet of graphite, blueberries, truffles, and damp earth. With an almost inky intensity, it will benefit from another 2-3 years of bottle age, and should drink well for two decades or more.

About Winery

In the late 60s, Joseph Phelps was running one of the largest construction companies in the U.S. when he won the bid to build Souverain Winery (now Rutherford Hill) located a few miles outside of St. Helena. Enamored with the beautiful Napa Valley and contemplating a career change, in 1973 he bought the 600-acre Connolly cattle ranch in Spring Valley, and began planting vineyards. The winery was completed in 1974 and that same year the first Syrah was made, the first grapes were crushed at the new facility and the first Insignia was produced. It was a period of unparalleled activity, creativity, ingenuity, entrepreneurship and risk-taking and it put Joe Phelps on the map of top Napa Valley wine producers.

Over the years, the goal of becoming 100% estate grown resulted in carefully planned acquisitions of prime vineyards in the Napa Valley. Today, the Phelps estate consists of the Spring Valley Home Ranch outside of St. Helena, Banca Dorada in Rutherford, Las Rocas and Barboza vineyards in Stags Leap, Yountville Vineyard in Oak Knoll, Suscol Vineyard in South Napa and Backus Vineyard in Oakville.

Shipping Details

This item is in stock and ready to ship.

Get it by Tuesday May 28! Order by 6pm EST (3pm PST) on Monday May 27 and select OVERNIGHT shipping.

Get it by Wednesday May 29! Order by 6pm EST (3pm PST) on Monday May 27 and select 2 Day shipping.

If you order by 6p EST today and request GROUND shipping your order will ship Monday May 27 and should arrive by Friday May 31.

Need it faster? Call us now at (888) 859-4637 for special arrangements.

Free storage available. We offer free 6 months storage for any wine purchased at JJ Buckley. We highly recommend storing your wines during the summer months to avoid heat damage during shipment.

For a shipping quote, add this product to your shopping cart. From there you will be able to enter a zipcode and get a detailed quote. For full details on our shipping policies, click here.