Press Room

JCB Phi Reviews

Score: 93 | January 31, 2024 | Wine Advocate

Essentially a blend of the base wines for No. 1 and No. 10, aged in special barrels, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Phi features hints of menthol against a backdrop of mixed red and black cherries. Is it really that different from those other wines? It's full-bodied, silky and concentrated, with a long finish.

Score: 98 | October 27, 2022 | The Wine Independent

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Phi is a blend of Cuvees No 1 and No 10 aged in the Phi, a barrel constructed in the perfect golden ratio proportions. Opaque purple-black in color, it erupts from the glass with molten licorice, Indian spices, and chocolate mint over a core of creme de cassis and blackberry preserves with a touch of cast-iron pan. The full-bodied palate is rich, firm, and incredibly harmonious, with fantastic tension and freshness, and so many layers, finishing long, long, long. Only 3 barrels of this very decadent wine were made.

Score: 98 | March 10, 2022 | Jeb Dunnuck

The inky hued 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Phi comes from a blend of two vineyards and is aged exclusively in a unique, elongated “Phi” barrel, 67% being new. Cassis, blackcurrants, graphite, and gravelly earth are just some of the nuances, and this full-bodied beauty is flawlessly balanced, has incredible tannins, and that rare mix of richness and elegance. It’s beautifully done. It needs a good 4-5 years of bottle age and should age spectacularly well for 25+ years.

Score: 94 | January 1, 2022 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

The 2019 Phi is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in specially designed barrels from the Hermitage cooperage. Rich and explosive, with terrific energy, the 2019 has a lot to offer. Inky blue/purplish fruit, licorice, lavender, cloves and menthol lend gravitas to this potent Cabernet.

-- Antonio Galloni

Score: 97 | February 26, 2021 | The Wine

The 2018 Phi is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, coming from a single vineyard in St. Helena. It was aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple in color, it delivers powerful scents of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and Black Forest cake with suggestions of eucalyptus, mocha, licorice and tilled soil. Full-bodied, super concentrated and laden with black and blue fruit preserves flavors, it has a solid yet plush frame of exquisitely ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epically long-lasting exotic spice notes. One for the hedonists! Only 25 cases were made.

Score: 97 | February 26, 2021 | Wine Advocate

The 2018 Phi is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, coming from a single vineyard in St. Helena. It was aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple in color, it delivers powerful scents of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and Black Forest cake with suggestions of eucalyptus, mocha, licorice and tilled soil. Full-bodied, super concentrated and laden with black and blue fruit preserves flavors, it has a solid yet plush frame of exquisitely ripe tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epically long-lasting exotic spice notes. One for the hedonists! Only 25 cases were made.

Score: 99 | January 28, 2021 | JebDunnuck.com

All Cabernet from St. Helena brought up in special La Grange Phi barrels, the 2018 JCB Phi certainly delivers the goods. A thrilling bottle of wine it ranks with the crème de la crème of this great vintage. Lots of pure cassis, flowers, crème brûlée, and classy oak emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a pure, layered, multi-dimensional texture, flawless balance, and a great finish. It has an incredibly singular character and is just a brilliant bottle of wine. It has plenty of integrated oak, which should integrate with 4-5 years of bottle age, but I’d certainly be thrilled to drink a bottle today. It should keep for 30 years or more.

Score: 95 | January 1, 2021 | Vinous/Antonio Galloni

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Phi, a tiny lot of one barrel, is an exciting wine. Inky and opulent to the core, the 2018 races across the palate with striking richness. Inky fruit, chocolate, espresso, sweet French oak and rose petal build in a Cabernet endowed with unctuous intensity in a decidedly flamboyant style. -- Antonio Galloni