4/2/2023 - Maz Likes this wine:

what a difference time can make. I reviewed this wine back in 2018 and
It was unimpressive and i was doubtful that time would turn it into anything special. Boy was i wrong. This second bottle is outstanding and is one of the most enjoyable wines I've had all year. Wonderful fruit, forest floor notes, balanced structure and a long satisfying finish. Very glad I waited to open the second bottle and wish I had more.

9/17/2022 - Maz Likes this wine:

Really like this wine. Dark fruit, smooth tannins, good structure, relatively long finish and a tantalizing level of complexity.

2/7/2022 - Maz wrote:

This wine is drinking really well right now and I'm sorry it's my last bottle. It has really matured into a wonderful right bank style wine and I was very surprised how much better it was than the last bottle I drank three years ago. It has great balance and structure, smooth tannins and a medium long finish.

10/27/2021 - Maz wrote:

Big wine with lots of dark fruit, cassis,and a touch of leather. Drinking really well right now with soft tannins and a medium long finish. Really enjoyed this wine and wish I had more.

10/10/2020 - Maz Likes this wine:

I am really sorry that this was my last bottle of this beautiful wine. It exhibits Lots of dark and red fruits, wonderful structure and complexity and a nice medium to long finish. The tannins are velvety and the overall wine punches way above its weight class in taste and value.

4/19/2020 - Maz Does not like this wine:

I'm a fan of the James Joseph wines but this is not one of their best efforts.
One dimensional, lackLuster fruit and short finish.

3/8/2020 - Maz Likes this wine:

This was the most interesting, complex and pleasing Pahlmeyer I have tasted. Floral nose with tart cherry, anise, cedar, mushroom and forest floor on the palate. Medium long finish. Glad I have a couple more bottles.

12/22/2019 - Maz Likes this wine:

Big fruit bomb with smooth tannins and long finish. If you like Caymus cabs you will love this wine.

8/18/2019 - Maz wrote:

I think this vintage is my favorite Insignia so far. Wish I had more. Fruit is there but not in your face. Great structure and balance with a nice long finish. Drinking really really well right now.

9/27/2018 - Maz Likes this wine:

Herbal and mineral notes. Tastes more like a right bank Bordeaux (minus the chocolate) than a Cali Cab. Needs some time to open up but the wait is worth it. This was my first Arnot-Roberts wine but it won't be the last.

9/22/2018 - Maz wrote:

Time to drink up. I agree with a previous tasting note that it is starting to exhibit a bit of heat and the finish is not as long as in previous bottles. Still a very good wine but not as good as it was a couple of years ago.

8/26/2018 - Maz wrote:

Not the same wine I drank 3 years ago. A bit hot and a short finish. Drink up.

8/4/2018 - Maz wrote:

A nice tasting bottle of wine at the $50 price point but doesn't compare well to wines at the $150 price range. Complexity, finish and month feel all lacking a bit. I have one more bottle that I will hold for a couple of years to see if time will work it's magic but I'm not optimistic.

7/4/2018 - Maz Likes this wine:

Still has a lot of dark fruit and enough pepper and spice to pair really well with the BBQ ribs we had today.

3/31/2017 - Maz wrote:

Nice bright acidity. Stone fruit with some oak and aLong finish. Went very well with my Dover sole. Great wine for the money.

2/19/2017 - Maz wrote:

Nice fruit and smooth tannins overwhelmed by alcohol heat that persisted and intensified through the finish.

11/15/2016 - Maz Likes this wine:

This is an excellent white Rhone blend. Full rich mouth feel and good acidity. Pear, honeysuckle, and floral notes. I really enjoy this wine.

3/19/2016 - Maz Likes this wine:

Had this bottle with some grilled salmon. What a wonderful pairing. Great balance and smooth tannins.

6/28/2015 - Maz Likes this wine:

Dark fruit, well integrated tannins, great balance, just a lovely wine.

2/23/2015 - Maz Likes this wine:

Amber colored, touch of carmel, honey like mouth feel. Very complex meld of flavors. Good acidity and finish. I really enjoyed this wine and wish I had another bottle.

2/12/2015 - Maz Likes this wine:

In a good place right now. Significant fruit, smooth tannins and fairly long finish.

2/10/2015 - Maz Does not like this wine:

Alcohol heat overpowers the wine. Not much else going on here. Not my style.

2/4/2015 - Maz wrote:

This wine is really drinking well right now. I would put this up against a Caymus cab and I believe it would hold it's own very well. Dark fruits, big tannins but well integrated and a long finish. Great value and I think it will be even better in a year or two.

2/4/2015 - Maz Likes this wine:

One of my favorite Napa wines. Drinking great right now. Big fruit. Great structure and balance. Long finish.

1/29/2015 - Maz Does not like this wine:

I had big hopes for this wine but was disappointed. The alcohol presence dominates and there is not much else going on. The tannins are still very pronounced so it could be a better wine in 3-5 years if the heat index goes down significantly. I have one more bottle so I'll lay it down and revisit then.

1/18/2015 - Maz Does not like this wine:

If I didn't know this was a cab I would have identified it as a Zin. Not really my taste.

12/28/2014 - Maz Likes this wine:

Given the ratings I was not expecting this wine to be as good as it was. Had it with some rib eye steaks and really enjoyed it. Good dark fruit with smooth tannins and nice balance with a medium finish. Wish i had a couple of more bottles since I would like to see where it goes over next few years.

12/21/2014 - Maz Likes this wine:

Dark fruit,with nice structure and balance and chewy tannins. Medium finish. Has aged well and it's time to drink.

10/11/2014 - Maz wrote:

Lot's of dark fruit and well integrated tannins with a touch of pepper. Really enjoyed this wine.

9/21/2014 - Maz wrote:

My last bottle of a case. I enjoyed this wine until this last bottle. Over the hill at this point with not much left but a hot alcohol bite.

9/15/2014 - Maz Likes this wine:

A bit on the tannic side at this point with ripe fruit and decent structure and a medium plus finish. While it is an enjoyable wine to drink now, I think it will be better in a couple of years when the tannins soften up a bit.

6/7/2014 - Maz Likes this wine:

I usually am not a fan of jammy wines but this was fun to drink and went well with a smoky split pea soup. Really nice effort for the money.

3/14/2014 - Maz wrote:

This is one of my favorite blends in this price range. Great fruit, good tannins and structure with a good finish. If you like Petite Sirahs, this is a blend you may want to try.

2/1/2014 - Maz Likes this wine:

Good fruit, balance and structure. Tannins still a bit pronounced so should continue to improve for a few more years. Great value.

10/3/2013 - Maz wrote:

The first bottle of this wine I drank in 2011 I enjoyed very much but this bottle two years latter was too hot for my taste. Surprised by the difference.

9/26/2013 - Maz Likes this wine:

Excellent fruit, complexity and structure. Smooth integrated tannins and long, long finish. Wonderful wine and I think it is at it's peak right now.

8/14/2013 - Maz Does not like this wine:

I lot of heat in this bottle. The alcohol overpowered this wine and I couldn't get past that.

5/15/2013 - Maz Likes this wine:

We are big Petite Sirah fans and really like this wine. Big dark berry fruit without being jammy. Nice structure and integrated tannins. Glad I have a few more bottles.

12/23/2012 - Maz Does not like this wine:

My last bottle of a case. I am a big fan of Vincent's Petite Sirah's but this vintage never did it for me. The taste for me was dominated by overripe fruit and I hoped that would change over time. It did not, but it did develop a major barnyard quality that sometimes I'm ok with but not on this wine.

12/23/2012 - Maz Likes this wine:

Lots of dark berry fruit with chocolate, tobacco, cedar and a touch of pepper. firm tannins and a medium length finish.

12/9/2012 - Maz Likes this wine:

Drinking really well right now. Still has good fruit with lush smooth tannins and a long finish.

10/19/2012 - Maz wrote:

Fantastic nose on this wine. Big, big wine with lots of complexity. Still a bit young and though it is a great drop now, it will be even better when the tannins soften a bit more. finish goes on and on.

10/19/2012 - Maz wrote:

Red fruit, tobacco, leather, earth. Medium tannins. Respectable finish. It all comes together as an excellent classic bordeaux.

10/19/2012 - Maz wrote:

Really enjoyed this wine. Great balance of fruit and structure and smooth as a baby' bottom. Long, satisfying finish. Time to drink if you are holding. Expect it will start to decline next couple of years.

10/14/2012 - Maz wrote:

Good dark fruit, tobacco,cassis, earth, dust, integrated tannins and a long finish Enjoyed following a bottle of 2003
Opus one and I think this was actually a more interesting wine.

10/14/2012 - Maz wrote:

very nice drop but fruit is starting to fade and finish is not quite as long as one might like for a wine of this caliber. Drink up.

5/31/2012 - Maz wrote:

Wish I had anther bottle. I believe this wine is at it's peak now. Great balance, lush tannins and long, long, finish.

1/14/2012 - Maz wrote:

Well balanced with dark fruit, smooth tannins and long finish. Drinking really well right now and wish I had another bottle.

1/9/2012 - Maz wrote:

Well balanced with dark fruit, vanilla, smooth tannins and long finish. Drinking great right now. Wish I had another bottle.

1/7/2012 - Maz wrote:

Good fruit and balance. Went great with grilled pork with apple sage stuffing.