Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.

The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.

Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.

The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.

Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in. — 6 years ago

with Christina and James

James Forsyth

9.1

Firstly I was very pleased to have identified this blind as one made from mainly Cab and probably from Bolgheri. Nailed it. Bold and giving with good backbone and finish. A very good, good value choice. — 7 years ago

Amanda Burrill

9.0

Excellent choice bitch! — 8 years ago

with Gina

Marc Stubblefield

Wine Sales at Vino Carta and Kogod Wine Merchant

9.0

Citrus and orchard fruit, then stony minerality, finishing with a acid/saline palate refreshing snap. Simple and refreshing, complex and engaging - your choice. — 10 years ago

laura Sidney

9.3

Another great wine that drinks richer than its price tag. Beautiful. Balanced. Mature. And a 2013.
Wonderful choice for impressing clients. Client dinner in Denver @ Piatti (cherry creek). — 10 years ago

with Jim

S Rose

9.2

2013 another great vintage. Always a solid choice, year after year. — 10 years ago

Greg Smith

9.0

Don’t normally pick Petite Sirah as a choice but this was descent. Has a jammy start and a nutty finish. Fruit forward. Thin but good legs. I would drink again. 2017 vintage — 6 years ago

Brooke Swalm

9.0

Always a solid choice. — 7 years ago

with Gerald

Richard Rosensweig

9.0

Light and crisp with lots of pear and floral notes. Good acidity, but creamy as well. A good choice for a food pairing. Though made with equal parts white and red grapes, it tastes almost like a blanc de blanc. — 7 years ago

Pablo

9.0

Super tasty. Cranberry and black fruit. Softening tannins. I got the prime NY steak to pair with this, which was a smart choice. — 8 years ago

Norah Gustafson

9.0

Solid casual drinking choice — 9 years ago

James Gourley

9.0

This wine is good if a bit disjointed. It has nice length and dimension, but the tart fruit comes in fits and starts, and the tannins are dusty on the finish. Very Burgundian. — 10 years ago

William Leslie

10

Fruit flavors on the nose, but no oak. Flavors of sweet tobacco and cherry seem to be most pronounced. There is also a juicy blackberry flavor paired with black current. The flavors all work together well without overpowering another. The wine is extremely well balanced leading to a very smooth feel. The tannins are mellow and there is a small little bite on the end. Overall this is an excellent wine from an excellent winemaker and one not to miss. For drinkers looking to try a more expensive bottle but worry it's not with it, this is a great choice to calm your fears. Just make sure to properly decant. — 10 years ago

Pooneet K

9.1

Quite delicious. Always a good choice. — 6 years ago

K L

9.0

Always a good choice. — 6 years ago

with Matt

Sarah Milsow-Guenther

9.0

Still drinking nice, glad we kept the second bottle for longer. Lots of fruit left on it still. Lovely. — 7 years ago

Matthew Bauer

9.5

Wine from our Fredericksburg trip. From 4.0??? — 8 years ago

Deborah Lyman

9.1

Opening the bottle to breathe the subtle oakiness hits you with some spiciness and a hint of dark fruit. Tasting it made my mouth dance. It is smooth with very little tannins. Mind you, merlots are my last choice, however this one sat around long enough to be very good. — 9 years ago

Zack Campbell

9.2

Very delicious. Excellent choice for small celebrations 👌🏽 — 10 years ago

Pekka K

8.9

Tastes like the soil and grass where this comes from. Needs something to go with, very nice that way — 10 years ago