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Joseph Phelps Insignia Vertical 2008>1994 with Robert Baxter
Handford Wines, London
Tasted March 20, 2012 by Papies with 1,330 views
Introduction
Robert Baxter was kind enough to spend a few hours and share with us a lovely vertical of insignias going back to 1994.
We lately keep asking ourselves, in general Cabernet Sauvignon lovers in the left bank Bordeaux style that is, if what we usually associate as "too much" in California wines is just a function of having these wines too young. So a good opportunity to taste a good set of relatively aged wines from across the pond.
Flight 1 - To Start (1 note)
Red
2008 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
89 points
Youthful in colour and nose with lots of red fruit. Young and fruit driven, Lots of power and tannin. A bit of harshness of youth but well balanced and enjoyable. Liked the lack of oak which allows the wine to show more. 89 for now but with a good future.
Flight 2 - The Insignias (8 notes)
Red
2008 Joseph Phelps Insignia
Dark purple in colour. Jammy sweet mocha notes with lots of fruit. A wine to age with lots of tannin and structure. However it is relatively approachable but really one should wait a good 15yrs. A bit too young to rate.
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Comment
Red
2007 Joseph Phelps Insignia
92 points
For Robert Baxter this is probably the best wine they ever made. Dark purple in colour. Very supple wine, round (especially for its age) lots of fruit and good level of acidity. The oak is of course there but it has a nice balance to it. Approachable from now. 92 at this stage
Red
2006 Joseph Phelps Insignia
89 points
No merlot here. Restrained nose. Sweet fruit and oak, well round and drinkable now. A touch thin, some green notes and in general lacks vibrancy. 89
Red
2005 Joseph Phelps Insignia
92 points
Lovely chocholatety nose, restrained nose. Quite a lot of life in this wine, vibrant tannins. Requires aging for the tannin to mellow. Supple with good fruit. Oak still requires some assimilation. Very nice though. 92
Red
1999 Joseph Phelps Insignia
94 points
Big open beautiful nose. Much like a 90s Bordeaux with minty notes. On the palate it is supple and round. Could use some more age to assimilate the oak but overall a superb wine and very nice to drink now. 94
Red
1997 Joseph Phelps Insignia
91 points
Very intense on the nose. Cassis. Musty nose (is it a bottle issue) which spoils the show here. Lots of tannin here and requires a bit more cellaring ( 5yrs?) to show its potential. 91 for the moment.
Red
1996 Joseph Phelps Insignia
96 points
WOTN for us and for the group. Nice open nose, Supple and round and singing all the way. Lots of fruit here, minty notes on the nose and although the oak is very much here it feels softer and readier. At a great time in its life. 96 dnt feel shy about opening this.
Red
1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia
94 points
Supple yet with lots of tension and life in it. Shows the aging capacity of these wines. Good sweet core on the palate, fresh acidity, oak of course and with lots of length 94.
Flight 3 - A sweet end (1 note)
White - Sweet/Dessert
2009 Joseph Phelps Eisrébe
91 points
Light yellow in colour. Quite a bit of residual sugar. Some fizz on the palate. Lots of presence on the palate and although not overly complex it has a good 2minute finish to it. Interesting. 91
Closing
Judging from the 99,96 and 94 vintages we think the answer is yes we open too early for our palate. 1-0 to the new world? So far...