What BestDamnCab said... My first Insignia was the '96 which I purchased in '99, although I later tasted the '95. The '96 was consumed shortly after purchase (for $69) although it had a long decant. It was served at a blind tasting of ten cabernets, tasted in random order by about 20 of my coworkers. It changed my view of wine entirely and made me a cabernet devotee. The depth and richness of the wine was stunning, although later in my wine journey I grew to appreciate the balance and complexity that aging cabernet nurtures. I've tasted most every Insignia from 1995 to 2019 with impressions ranging from outstanding to classic, but I had never tasted a Backus until the Member Appreciation event that BDC mentioned. I was there, too. I'm long into my wine journey and am not easily impreseed, but the 2016 Backus... blew... me... away. I love the Insignia blend, but this is the essence of California cabernet. The mouth feel, the texture, the deft weight, the cherry, violets and chocolate. Silky. Don't recall mineral/earth, but I assume it added to the dazzling complexity that enticed you for another and another sip. Young by experts' assessments, but can a wine possibly improve over this? If so, 100 points are within grasp. Found it the next day on the secondary market for considerably less than what Phelps was parting with it that day. Simply magnificent. I'm currently eying the '13, '14 & '15 at auction. Bravo Phelps!
A dissenting note... but I attribute it to differing tastes. I suspect that the bottle is true to the winemaker's intent, but not my cup of tea. Excessively plummy, oaky and monolithic. Super ripe and the 15.2% alcohol does nothing for me. Tracked it over three days with steady improvement in complexity which raised its score to 89. I have a glass left today on day four and I'm debating finishing the bottle or pouring out as it seemed to be turning a bit on day three. Nevertheless paired reasonably well with hamburgers, baby back ribs and spicy taco soup on successive days. I have quite a few 2012 and later highly rated, triple digit price tag California cabernets in my cellar. If I encounter more bottles like this I will strongly consider putting them up for auction. Perhaps my tastes have evolved. For what it's worth, I had a 2015 Northstar Columbia Valley cabernet a week ago. It was quite good on day one, but on day two it was singing - layered complexity, impeccable balance and great length on a spicy and distinctive finish. Paid $24.
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2016 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard
3/12/2023 - RedMeat wrote: 97 Points
What BestDamnCab said... My first Insignia was the '96 which I purchased in '99, although I later tasted the '95. The '96 was consumed shortly after purchase (for $69) although it had a long decant. It was served at a blind tasting of ten cabernets, tasted in random order by about 20 of my coworkers. It changed my view of wine entirely and made me a cabernet devotee. The depth and richness of the wine was stunning, although later in my wine journey I grew to appreciate the balance and complexity that aging cabernet nurtures. I've tasted most every Insignia from 1995 to 2019 with impressions ranging from outstanding to classic, but I had never tasted a Backus until the Member Appreciation event that BDC mentioned. I was there, too. I'm long into my wine journey and am not easily impreseed, but the 2016 Backus... blew... me... away. I love the Insignia blend, but this is the essence of California cabernet. The mouth feel, the texture, the deft weight, the cherry, violets and chocolate. Silky. Don't recall mineral/earth, but I assume it added to the dazzling complexity that enticed you for another and another sip. Young by experts' assessments, but can a wine possibly improve over this? If so, 100 points are within grasp. Found it the next day on the secondary market for considerably less than what Phelps was parting with it that day. Simply magnificent. I'm currently eying the '13, '14 & '15 at auction. Bravo Phelps!
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2018 Cade Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Howell Mountain
6/2/2022 - RedMeat wrote: 79 Points
Not my $130 cup of tea.
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2014 Bacio Divino Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard
1/19/2022 - RedMeat Does not like this wine: 89 Points
A dissenting note... but I attribute it to differing tastes. I suspect that the bottle is true to the winemaker's intent, but not my cup of tea. Excessively plummy, oaky and monolithic. Super ripe and the 15.2% alcohol does nothing for me. Tracked it over three days with steady improvement in complexity which raised its score to 89. I have a glass left today on day four and I'm debating finishing the bottle or pouring out as it seemed to be turning a bit on day three. Nevertheless paired reasonably well with hamburgers, baby back ribs and spicy taco soup on successive days. I have quite a few 2012 and later highly rated, triple digit price tag California cabernets in my cellar. If I encounter more bottles like this I will strongly consider putting them up for auction. Perhaps my tastes have evolved. For what it's worth, I had a 2015 Northstar Columbia Valley cabernet a week ago. It was quite good on day one, but on day two it was singing - layered complexity, impeccable balance and great length on a spicy and distinctive finish. Paid $24.
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