Gift from wife’s French client. The cork was saturated and crumbled, didn’t have much hope, but the nose revealed bright red fruit, some potpourri, alongside the tertiary mushroom and dried leaves you’d assume. The palate reflected this with sour cherry, strawberry, orange peel, and a hint of mushroomy cola. Lots of fine sediment. Very enjoyable. — 2 months ago
Another Grand Cru from the Burgundy Dinner in Sydney 6 weeks ago. This from the 2000 vintage. Sketchy notes at best. Not as impressive as I was expecting given the producer and the vineyard. Still very savoury and deep finishing with that silky palate. Not as impressive as the Rousseau’s I’ve had from the same vineyard. — 6 days ago
I was expecting an over-oaked style at 13.5 abv. Pleasantly surprised. As this was not the case. A nice balance of ripe orchard fruits and hint of spice, finish with slight bitter almond. Lacks density on the mid palate. Apparently this is a WS top 100 wine? No way. — a month ago
Fun easy and great to have with oysters — 2 months ago
What a great refined wine. The 2018 Insignia opens with aromas of dark fruit, florals, and spice. On the palate, blackberry, mocha, and plum come through with a nice texture and tannins. The finish is long, savory, and elegant. Wow! — 25 days ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
I think my posts on this producers Napa Cabernets with this kind of age have been clear. 2005 not the shinning star vintage of Napa Valley, yet non the less very consistent & punches above its price point. Pretty sure I bought this in the $35ish range. She is smooth with no bittiness on the palate.
The nose shows; used coffee grounds, dark currants, brambly, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, melted dark chocolate, caramel, mocha powder, baking spices, black licorice, steeped black tea, sandstone,moist clays, fresh & dry herbs, dark, fresh & withering flowers.
The palate is elegant & still fresh; dark currants, brambly, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, melted dark chocolate to pudding, caramel, mocha powder, baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, black licorice, mid to dark berry cola, steeped black tea, dark spice with palate heat, sandstone, moist clays, fresh & dry herbs, dark, fresh & withering flowers framed in violets, very round acidity with balance, evolution, structure/ tension & elegance for minutes and lands on earth & spice.
Still has 7-10 yrs ahead. You could make a case for 94 here. — 11 days ago