Community Tasting Note

Sunday, December 31, 2023 - I've always liked Insignia fine but never loved it. I know that sounds boujee and pretty insufferable, and for that I apologize. But this bottle was off the charts -- dark fruit, chocolate and bright acid. Everything I want in a wine to pair with food. Liked it better than the '15 Sassicaia I drank next to it. I know! I know!

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Comment posted by essenceofreal:

1/4/2024 8:57:00 PM - Nice, I've always found Sassicaia to be WAY WAY over rated so good on you!!

Older Insignia from the mid 90's are nice if you can find em. But I agree, recent vintages are too big and too much alcohol, it very much detracts from the overall experience and thus negates the wine from being a top notch claret.
Comment posted by brasstab:

1/4/2024 10:05:00 PM - Noted!
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

1/5/2024 8:36:00 AM - Brass....I have had a few bottles like you describe, never loved it. Til I realized they had changed their blend and that I was drinking them too early or without enough air under them. These newer vintages, I believe starting with the '14 began to phase out the usage of Merlot in the blend and incorporate a little more Malbec? Anyway, the '12s, '13s, '14s and even '15s are drinking pretty well now, if you still want a good amount of fruit and don't want to wait around 15 more years for all that tertiary stuff to start setting in.
Comment posted by brasstab:

1/5/2024 8:49:00 AM - Important safety tip, Egon! Thank you for the info. Perhaps I will endeavor to try more. My neighbor and good friend is a Phelpsian member so I could sneak in some orders
Comment posted by essenceofreal:

1/5/2024 1:06:00 PM - Nice neighbor, wish I had one like that and I live in Napa!! Good point about decanting, I've found Insignia is way happier after 4 hours in the decanter. )))
Comment posted by El_Dougo:

2/7/2024 6:38:00 AM - I’m drinking this vintage now and reading your notes/comments and I’m right there with you! Great wine that holds its own with (or rises above) everything else at the table.
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

2/7/2024 6:52:00 AM - El D, and an unfairly criticized year as everyone held it up as the inferior red headed stepchild in that string of 5 drought years from '12 thru '16. Yet, some of the best Napa reds I've experienced have been the '14s. Maybe I've just been extremely lucky buying the right ones?