#8 on Hi-Time's Top North American Cabs of 2025
Wouldn't it be great to have a Napa Cab made by someone who is native to Napa and knows the valley inside and out? Josh Phelps and his Steady State Cabernet are just that, as he strives to ensure his wines are always up to par and represent the core style of the valley! Josh knows a thing or two about wine and the world that revolves around it. Learning from his father Chris Phelps, who was the founding winemaker at Dominus Estate as well as founder and winemaker of Ad Vivum (which was Hi-Time's #2 Top Domestic Cabernet Sauvignon of 2022), Josh helped with selling wine and working harvests for friends with his father. He was mainly focused on doing business studies when he attended college, but as time passed, he decided to go into the wine business entirely and created Grounded Co. in 2016. Where his main focus is wines that are affordable, have great integrity, and that are straight up delicious! Earning a wonderful 92-point score from Wine Spectator and comprised of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Steady State is immediately alluring with its stunningly red garnet in color along with its trademark violet edge. Fresh, vibrant cassis, raspberry, and black licorice are highlighted by completely integrated oak. A silky texture and inviting tension carry these flavors through the very long, complex finish. While this wine can be enjoyed now, it is built to age in the bottle for 15-20 years.
WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS - "Juicy, with a light bramble edge amid the core of dark currant and blackberry paste flavors. Shows nice licorice and apple wood accents that fill in through the finish. Solid. Drink now through 2034. 1,000 cases made."
Wouldn't it be great to have a Napa Cab made by someone who is native to Napa and knows the valley inside and out? Josh Phelps and his Steady State Cabernet are just that, as he strives to ensure his wines are always up to par and represent the core style of the valley! Josh knows a thing or two about wine and the world that revolves around it. Learning from his father Chris Phelps, who was the founding winemaker at Dominus Estate as well as founder and winemaker of Ad Vivum (which was Hi-Time's #2 Top Domestic Cabernet Sauvignon of 2022), Josh helped with selling wine and working harvests for friends with his father. He was mainly focused on doing business studies when he attended college, but as time passed, he decided to go into the wine business entirely and created Grounded Co. in 2016. Where his main focus is wines that are affordable, have great integrity, and that are straight up delicious! Earning a wonderful 92-point score from Wine Spectator and comprised of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2021 Steady State is immediately alluring with its stunningly red garnet in color along with its trademark violet edge. Fresh, vibrant cassis, raspberry, and black licorice are highlighted by completely integrated oak. A silky texture and inviting tension carry these flavors through the very long, complex finish. While this wine can be enjoyed now, it is built to age in the bottle for 15-20 years.
WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS - "Juicy, with a light bramble edge amid the core of dark currant and blackberry paste flavors. Shows nice licorice and apple wood accents that fill in through the finish. Solid. Drink now through 2034. 1,000 cases made."
