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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 93.7 pts. and median of 94 pts. in 720 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by AllRed on 3/10/2024 & rated 96 points: Finishing up the last third of the bottle leftover from last night’s tasting. Currant, plum, mocha, chocolate, lavender and cassis notes. Seamless across the palate, filling out with dark plummy fruit, rose water, anise and herb flavors. Gorgeous. (1078 views) | | | Tasted by AllRed on 3/9/2024 & rated 96 points: Small Tasting & Dinner with Friends: Blind. Dark color. Plum, blackberry, chocolate and mocha aromas. Full-bodied and nicely integrated, with flavors of blue and black fruit, coffee, plum and chocolate. Notes of saddle leather and sage emerge with air. Velvety texture. Lengthy finish. Gorgeous, and showing nowhere near old as it really is.
This was double decanted off its sediment three hours before the flight was poured. An absolutely pristine bottle, cellared since release, the cork wasn't even stained to 1/8". Improved throughout the remainder of the evening. (1036 views) | | | Tasted by Handy1 on 2/18/2024 & rated 96 points: Similar to last bottle cassis and some dark fruit. Still drinking great (1172 views) | | | Tasted by sastewart on 1/1/2024 & rated 95 points: NYE dinner with friends. Similar to my last note in 2022. Purchased on release and stored at 55 degrees. Opened 3 hours ahead. Beautiful nose of cassis, a touch of cedar and flowers. Very plush and silky, but with just enough tannins to maintain freshness. Medium plus bodied with plenty of dark, ripe fruit and a great finish. On a nice drinking plateau but this was slightly softer than a bottle consumed 18 months ago. My last bottle - Probably no upside from here. 95 points (1777 views) | | | Tasted by g-man on 12/31/2023 & rated 96 points: Wow! This is really at its' epogee now. Tanins are mild while the fruit really shines. Not overblown and really balanced. Hints of blackberry with slight euchalyptus notes. This ranks as one of my favorite Insignias. Only 2 bottles left and will probabably finish them in 7 to 8 years. (1443 views) | | | Tasted by Capt Cutlass on 11/28/2023 & rated 96 points: It's been over a year since I last tasted this and it did not disappoint! Powerful nose and dense in colour and texture. Great depth of flavour; evolved leather notes with dark cherries and other berries. Smooth as silk. A real beauty which is in a perfect place now and looks good to go for a few more years if you want more tertiary flavours to match the dark fruit. I am going for drink by 2027.. (1749 views) | | | Tasted by BernieMSY on 11/22/2023 & rated 96 points: Decanted for 90 minutes prior to tasting.
Very dark purple color; roasted meat nose.
Dark and integrated. Some black fruit remains, complemented with tones of mocha, mint and eucalyptus. There’s still a bit of tannic structure, indicating that this wine can easily develop for another decade or more. It’s terrific at present, and I believe it is just hitting its maturational stride. Let us know what you think. (1733 views) | | | Tasted by RBaird on 11/18/2023: Thanksgiving in St. John Nov 2023 (1538 views) | | | Tasted by Handy1 on 11/10/2023 & rated 97 points: Wow delicious. Pop n poured and took about an hour to open up. Nice cassis, aged cab with mellow tannins. Really in a good spot. Dont think more aging needed but can last some years (1466 views) | | | Tasted by lesz on 11/8/2023 & rated 92 points: still young. part of vertical tasting (1431 views) | | | Tasted by jmoore431 on 11/6/2023 & rated 93 points: 93+ (1346 views) | | | Tasted by bryon m on 11/6/2023 & rated 92 points: Color and body was in excellent condition. Due it is age, lacked some of the complexity it had 10 years ago. Still drinking nicely! Soft mouth feel dark fruits and berries start to end. (1166 views) | | | Tasted by Jonathan T on 10/21/2023 & rated 97 points: When I first tasted this 12 years ago, my impression was that this was the greatest Insignia I've ever had. This bottle not only reaffirms that, but it's even better than before. What is striking now is how the tannins have resolved into a velvety texture that engulfs the palate. No signs of decline and barely any hints of secondary notes. My last bottle, but if I did have more, I would have no concerns about cellaring this in another decade. (1391 views) | | | Tasted by RichEB1 on 9/8/2023 & rated 91 points: Purchased on release. This is drinking really well.....but it lacked a bit of the 'wow factor' that I was expecting. Red fruits, cassis, and a herbal component on the finish. Perfectly integrated and ready to go, but I don't see it going downhill anytime soon. This bottle was good but not great, and I would probably drink the rest of mine over the next 5 years if I had anymore so as to still catch some of the fruit. (1701 views) | | | Tasted by galewskj on 7/17/2023 & rated 93 points: Luis goes to Kenwood (The Kenwood): Hopefully I"DRATHER... will mention the bottle treatment, because this one seemed more primary than a bottle a year ago. A pairing of this and the 2011 Tignanello may have done the Insignia a disservice, as the Tignanello seemed so lively, while the Insignia was very rich, dark and almost dessert-like. Rich bold fruit. (2070 views) | | | Tasted by I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine on 7/14/2023 & rated 95 points: Prep: Opened the bottle at 2:00 and poured into a decanter. Placed decanter in the wine cellar for an hour, then back in the bottle and loosely corked. Removed cork at the restaurant at 5:00 and slo-O for another two hours before consuming.
Tasting note: Wowsa! This wine really improved since the last bottle. In a very nice place for my palate, striking that balance, which I love, between fruit and tertiary flavors. Nose was quite appealing with potpourri, cherry bark, leather and earth dominating. The palate showed layers of dark and red fruit, mixed with tobacco, earth, leather and graphite. The tannins were ultra smooth and there was still enough acidity to keep the fruit going strong. Add a medium-long finish and you have a pretty amazing older Napa wine! I wish I had a few more bottles, but absolutely no regret opening now.
Thanks to Odedis for their review on CT, which convinced me to pop this open! Easy 95 for me, and I feel that is pretty conservative! My WOTN, and not just saying that because it was my bottle! I had high expectations, and this bottle still managed to exceed them! (2095 views) | | | Tasted by Odedis.Wine.reviews on 7/11/2023 & rated 96 points: Here is a fabulous 99 point wine by Robert Parker.
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Great nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, earth, vanilla, Mediterranean spices, espresso, cola, light herbs, chocolates, tobacco and black pepper.
Full bodied, smooth and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black cherries, figs, cedar, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, herbs, light earth, cola and peppercorn.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley.
Showing nice balance and a great mouthfeel. Round and rich. Elegant and smooth.
This 22 year old still has a lot of power in it, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.
So soft and powerful, with a great nose. This is a gorgeous wine right now.
A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Aged in all new French oak barrels for 24 months.
13.9% alcohol by volume.
96 points.
$250. (2020 views) | | | Tasted by Verb on 5/14/2023 & rated 96 points: dark red with garnet rim - black fruit nose with some complex aromas (graphite, red peonies) - big full round mouth of sweet fruit (black cherries, plumbs) - excellent fruit-tannin balance, low acidity - long 20-30 sec finish - a great CA cab that is continuing to evolve in the mouth, and beginning to develop some complexity in the nose as well (2398 views) | | | Tasted by G_H on 5/14/2023 & rated 97 points: Another stunning showing. Incredibly young, deep, cool, dark fruit. Dense, rich and ver my long. At the same time elegant and balanced. Wow! (2071 views) | | | Tasted by CoastCabCritic on 5/1/2023 & rated 96 points: Wine was in a great place and had cruised in a cold cellar for two decades. Fruit still in place, and showing some age. The wine was very well balanced. Drink now and enjoy. (1935 views) | | | Tasted by Romz on 4/14/2023 & rated 93 points: 230323 - impromptu dinner withthe usual Vino heads in MYS
Another aged American giant sourced by Joe. Super privileged that my first Insignia is a 22 year old bot. This is initially muted and dumb which restrained to take a sip. The bitter & gritty tannins took almost 2 hours of aeration & swirling in the glass to open up. Sweet cassis, licorice, jammy fruit notes, mocha & hint of smoke. Multi layered & great intensity with elegantly polished finish. (2251 views) | | | Tasted by TroyP on 4/5/2023 & rated 95 points: Absolutely ready. Birthday dinner with prime ribeyes. Excellent wine from opening to empty. Not decanted. Bottle coated with fine tannins. Didn't fade. Lovely and elegant. Full mouth. Med long finish. Ready now but has some time left. (2033 views) | | | Tasted by KenK on 3/19/2023 & rated 95 points: Delicious hedonistic dark ripe lush red fruit aromas with silky smooth rich delicious fruit dipped in milk chocolate with no hard edges. A bit warm, but otherwise pure yum. Likely at peak, its almost all about the beautiful fruit here. Thanks ddlm (1878 views) | | | Tasted by GFischmann on 3/17/2023 & rated 94 points: Great wine!
Still has good balance of acidity, tannins and fruit!!
Drink now (1708 views) | | | Tasted by DCHawkeye on 3/1/2023 & rated 96 points: One of the red wines opened at a wine dinner at St. Anselm in DC, this was far and away the wine of the night. Just a stunning bottle of Insignia; one that my very Franco-phile palate would have been hard pressed to identify as Napa. In a perfect place right now. (1717 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, The 2001 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Stepping Back in Time (Apr 2023) (4/1/2023)
(Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia Napa Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, Vertical Tasting of Phelps Insignia (Apr 2016) (4/1/2016)
(Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By Gary Walsh
The WINEFRONT (5/23/2014)
(Joseph Phelps Insignia) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (3/21/2013)
(Joseph Phelps, Insignia Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2003, IWC Issue #108
(Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia Proprietary Red Wine Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (5/31/2014)
(Joseph Phelps Insignia) Very dark ruby color; tarragon, spice, tart black fruit, dried orange nose; silky textured, rich, black cherry, ripe black currant palate with low acidity; on the down slope; medium-plus finish 89 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (2/21/2012)
(Joseph Phelps Insignia) Dark ruby color; maturing, loam, black fruit nose; maturing, loam, black fruit, tar, espresso palate, on a fast track; medium-plus finish 92 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and The WINEFRONT and JancisRobinson.com and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Joseph Phelps Producer website
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.
Nearly four decades later, the flagship wine, Insignia, is recognized as one of the world’s great wines. Twenty nine of 34 vintages have been rated ninety or more points by various wine publications. From 1990 to 2007, the average score from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate is 94.5 pts., with the lowest score still a fabulous 91. The 2002 vintage was “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator Magazine, and the 2007 vintage has been rated 98 points by Robert Parker and 96 points by Wine Spectator Magazine.
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.
Beginning with the 2009 vintage, estate-grown wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Insignia, Backus (the single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville) and Eisrébe, a dessert wine made from the Scheurebe grape. In addition, a small amount of Syrah is produced from fruit owned by Hyde Vineyards in Los Carneros.
Though the main focus is on Bordeaux varietals, Joe Phelps has had a life-long love affair with the wines of Burgundy and a desire to craft wines in that style. Originally Chardonnay was sourced from St. Helena, later from Yountville and then from Los Carneros. Through the years, however, Joe continued to search for the ideal spot to grow both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and his search ended when the perfect combination of climate, soil and location was found in Freestone, located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, a mere eight miles from the Pacific Ocean. In 1999, 200 acres were acquired and planting began. Today, 80 acres of Pinot Noir and 20 acres of Chardonnay are producing some remarkable wines which are available for tasting at the Freestone Guest Center. Visit Freestone Vineyards to learn more.Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.InsigniaOf interest concerning the sources for grapes for this wine:
http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-review/669/Insignia.html
jhtUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa Valley Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners)Napa ValleySt. Helena |
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