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1996 Joseph Phelps Insignia |
| Vintage | 1996 |  Label 1 of 15   | |
| Type | Red | ||
| Producer | Joseph Phelps (web) | ||
| Variety | Red Bordeaux Blend | ||
| Designation | Insignia | ||
| Vineyard | n/a | ||
| Country | USA | ||
| Region | California | ||
| SubRegion | Napa Valley | ||
| Appellation | Napa Valley | ||
| UPC Code | 010465709608 |
| Community Tasting History |
Community Tasting Notes (average 93.7 pts. and median of 94 pts. in 43 notes) | |
| Tasted by tabularasa415 on 1/2/2010 & rated 92 points: I've had this laying around for a while, and based mostly on other reviews I decided it was time to open her up before she ran over the hill. I didn't experience the wave of cedar or oak that other people have reported. The nose was quite Bordeaux-like in the sense that there was almost a barnyard scent immediately followed by candied fruit. No decant necessary, but I did let the bottle breathe open for about 3 hours before dinner (didn't know quite what to expect). On the palate, simple expressions of dark cherry, plum, chocolate and light oak. This is obviously aged Cali cab by the simple expression. A very nice companion to my dinner of filet crowned with shrimp and bearnaise. The tannins are fully integrated and this wine is definitely in its peak window, throwing light sediment at this point. I don't believe this wine will go anywhere but down from here. (264 views) | |
| Tasted by mutlynch on 12/7/2009 & rated 92 points: (324 views) | |
| Tasted by babnik on 11/7/2009 & rated 93 points: Huge pine forest nose... like walking on to a Christmas tree lot. Flavors of fresh bing cherry, baking spices, cedar, espresso, leather, and a zippy acidity that belies its 13 years of age. Very long finish with a smooth, rich mouthfeel. I didn't love this wine to the extent some recent tasters did, but all-in-all, an excellent bottle. Probably the one thing holding this wine back from stratospheric scoring with me was that cedar nose... it was almost too much. I wish I had this bottle a couple of years ago. (628 views) | |
| Tasted by agebob on 10/21/2009 & rated 96 points: Translucent cherry red color. Leather and tannins on the nose. Flavors of leather, cassis, and blackberry (without the sweetness), This Insignia has aged beautifully and displays an elegant balance of fruits and tannins. The wine is consistent from start to finish. Very enjoyable. (783 views) | |
| Tasted by Grinner on 8/28/2009 & rated 95 points: Still holding its own as a "young adult". Color remains inky nearly to the rim. The nose is an effusive berry, currant, stone, and oak blast. Compared to a '92 Dalla Valle at the table (more elegant and balanced, wonderful wine!) this wine has more fruit, more typicity for northern Napa, more grip. More of the iron fist in a velvet glove feel. I think it can improve further. Still has 7+ years, it'll make 20 no problem! (855 views) | |
| Tasted by Anonymous on 7/10/2009 & rated 96 points: Drank in San Antonio at Cree and Sara's wedding with Susan, Peggy, and Gordon. Stunning wine. Excellent structure and balance. Absolutely delicious. Ready to go but probably has several more years of life ahead. Purple black color with no lightning at the edges. Boquet lept from the bottle when the cork was pulled. Nose was intoxicating and palate was deep and rich with a finish exceeding 30 seconds. Way more than I expected. Drink or hold. (1082 views) | |
| Tasted by pbaek on 2/8/2009: 2003 CdP tasting at Rothmann's Steakhouse, New York. Not as bad as the 1997 La Mouline, but pretty darn close. Pretty much undrinkable. (1468 views) | |
| Tasted by Anonymous on 2/7/2009 & rated 92 points: No need to differ from pro scores on this bottle. Beautiful nose of blackberry, cherry and spice. Medium bodied and silky with blackberry, currant, cherry, and a touch of vanilla, with a very long finish that adds a bit of spice. Tannins were just a touch rougher and drier than I would have expected. In a beautiful place, just not as lush as some other vintages I have had in the past such as the '94 and '97. (1543 views) | |
| Tasted by bhalljr on 12/5/2008 & rated 94 points: The cork crumbled but that was about the only aspect bad with this bottle. Ultra smooth and silky with a blackberry jam that was soon filled by a chocolate aroma. It's really special to taste an aged bottle that still has an amazing finish yet the tannins have subsided to a more enjoyable level. (1471 views) | |
| Tasted by kgh on 11/13/2008 & rated 95 points: Lovely aromas and dark ruby color. Long smooth, complex wine with soft, luscious tannins. Loads of fruit while still showing spice and earthy flavors. Just fantastic. (1555 views) | |
| Tasted by bflood on 11/9/2008 & rated 94 points: Did not decant. Black licorice on the front end. Loads of dark fruit followed. Full long finish. Settled into very well balanced and complex monster. We then drank an 03 ZD reserve a T-vine cab and a Swanson Alexis. (1549 views) | |
| Tasted by Anonymous on 9/22/2008 flawed bottle: Not sure what the problem was, but had very off putting flavors and aromas. The wine seemed mature and lovely behind the flaw. Was not cork, must be something from the wine. This is my first 96. Did not improved with time. stuck bottle in fridge to try tonight, out of curiousity, but have no hope. I was right. No change on day 2. (1749 views) | |
| Tasted by Stan33 on 9/4/2008 & rated 95 points: (1172 views) | |
| Tasted by vendange on 7/13/2008 & rated 90 points: Herbs, dark cocoa, hints of woodsmoke, black olive, and dark fruit on the nose. Best on the initial impression on the palate where there is intense currant fruit, and wonderful, creamy cassis. The finish is dry and carries just enough fruit. No hurry, but I don't think the finish is going to improve. (1798 views) | |
| Tasted by Mark on 6/13/2008 & rated 94 points: This is fantastic and a drinking at its prime. Opened for dinner with Roxanne. Tom and Marilynne. Great balance, full in the mouth, lots of fruit, leather, some earth, concentrated with a silky long finish. Wonderful. (1959 views) | |
| Tasted by scott davis on 6/10/2008 & rated 94 points: (1387 views) | |
| Tasted by Ricky99 on 5/5/2008 & rated 95 points: with three other 96's this took the prize. big mouthful of fruit, finely balanced (2267 views) | |
| Tasted by cgrimes on 3/7/2008 & rated 95 points: The French Invasion (Byfield, MA): Purple color. Dense nose of dark fruits, cassis, spices. Palate of blackberry, cassis, mocha, cedar. Thick mouthfeel. Mature tannins. This was truly a spectacular wine. (2571 views) | |
| Tasted by ml on 12/1/2007: Very nice. Opened with a touch of Brett that showed up as equal amounts of cheesiness and barnyard. That mostly blew off to leave a wine that had a very nice balance of fruit and a little mushroom to it. Enjoyable lead pencil taste with a very nice long finish. Now is certainly a nice time to drink it, but it could hold off for a bit. It has either shut down or died after a couple hours of being opened. (3030 views) | |
| Tasted by Icarus on 10/13/2007 & rated 93 points: Thirty Years of Phelps Insignia (1974 through 2004): Impressive blend of red and black fruit on the nose. Concentrated fruit with some oak dominate the taste. Very youthful. Very tannic. Good length on the finish. Should develop nicely. (3414 views) | |
| Tasted by Siggy on 10/13/2007: Insignia Vertical Tasting 1974-2004 (WA Frost, St. Paul): A touch floral on the nose. Deep, rich, concentrated black fruit. The fruit is very ripe, almost stewed (but not quite). Youthful. (3457 views) | |
| Tasted by dant on 7/24/2007 & rated 95 points: delicious, soft tannins, lead, fruit (3534 views) | |
| Tasted by CharlesHetzel on 3/9/2007 & rated 99 points: One of the best Insignia's we've had ever! The Fruit forwardness was incredible and this meritage's boquet left us longing for more! (4003 views) | |
| Tasted by kenito799 on 3/4/2007 & rated 91 points: Lovely aged look and smell, brick red at edges and some cheesy funkiness. Fruit fresh and strong, silky glycerine chewy mouthfeel, sweet and soft with perfectly integrated tannins. Nice peak cali cab. (3944 views) | |
| Tasted by Anonymous on 2/16/2007 & rated 98 points: Perfectly balanced. The other 2 I'll drink within a year or 2 for sure. No need to wait any longer. (4129 views) | |
| Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
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| Producer website
About red wine The variety Red Bordeaux Blend on CellarTracker implies any blend using any or all of the five traditional Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. As such, this is used worldwide, whether for wines from Bordeaux, Meritages from California and Canada, some Super-Tuscan wines etc. Of interest concerning the sources for grapes for this wine: http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-review/669/Insignia.html jht WineAmerica (National Association of American Wineries) | Free the Grapes! California Wines (Wine Institute of California) California is one of the most diverse wine regions in the world, with almost 100 grape varieties grown in almost 10 viticultural areas, including dozens of different microclimates and soil types, as well as a very individualistic set of winemakers, many with international experience, which adds to and deepens that diversity. Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners) | Article in CellarTracker Napa Valley AVA |
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