2016 Joseph Phelps Insignia

Red Bordeaux Blend

Cristal2000 wrote: 91 points

December 13, 2022 - Quick note on this wine. I drank it over three days and it never lost its super overtly oaky quality. It was like eating wood chips, with bitter chocolate and not nearly the depth of flavor I was expecting. Hopefully it was just an off bottle, but it reminded me of Silver Oak, where the wine is hiding issues behind a wall of wood. Definitely expected a lot more.

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3daywinereview.com commented:

12/13/22, 3:33 PM - Nice to see the 3 day effort. Like so many big names people like giving these wines big scores. Good to see someone who rates it like they see it.
Cristal2000 commented:

12/13/22, 7:01 PM - Thanks. I try my best to tell the real story. I also realize most reviews are viewed by folks who own the wine, and they want to hear good things. I get it, but this one was a big disappointment, especially considering the vintage.
gymnastpro commented:

12/13/22, 7:03 PM - Interesting. 16 Insignia was great when I opened it 2 years ago. And I'm not a huge Oak guy.
Cristal2000 commented:

12/13/22, 7:08 PM - Yeah, not sure what was up with it. I've had that happen before with wines, especially Realm, where the wine tastes fantastic young without super noticeable oak, and then a few years later its caked in it. Not sure why that happens, but I am super sensitive to oak, and this is a bottle where I dumped 3/4 of it.
gymnastpro commented:

12/13/22, 7:40 PM - Dang... I would just hold if you have more bottles. 16 is one of the better Insignias I've had. Also, you drink wines with decent oak! Vice Versa!
Cristal2000 commented:

12/13/22, 8:10 PM - No doubt. Most all these Napa Cabs are heavy on oak, some just carry it much better and get the integration right. I will likely be offloading my Insignia. Got plenty of other cabs to take its place.
gymnastpro commented:

12/13/22, 8:33 PM - The older insignia's are great. Especially the 2001!