Jay Kline

9.3

Presented double-blind at dinner. The wine pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core and a slightly orange rim with considerable variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated fruit: black currants, blackberries, plum, pipe tobacco, capsicum, pencil shavings, a touch leather, organic earth and a mix of dried herbs and some fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Really tasty stuff.

Initial conclusions: this is an old wine, likely 30-40 years old. That being said, it’s still very distinguishable as it’s showing varietal characteristics. This could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend thereof), Cabernet Franc (or a blend thereof), or Merlot (or a blend thereof). I can see this being Napa because the fruit is still showing some generosity. But there’s a lot of non-fruits there too. Regardless, this was giving Left Bank vibes so I could also see this being Bordeaux from a great vintage like 1982. And that’s my call, Cabernet Sauvignon-blend from France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estèphe, from a classified growth like Calon-Ségur. Shucks. But I’m not mad about my choice! Old Opus One’s are tricky to differentiate. Drinking very well right now but this will live well past 2035. — 12 days ago

Barry Grossman

9.1

Rich, smoky, meaty, but well balanced. — 5 years ago

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

Barb Anderson

9.2

A fantastic right bank blend of Cab Franc and Merlot! — 8 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.0

Drank the previous bottles in 2013 and 2014 - must have lost track of this one. A bit of spritz on opening, but still has some acidity/minerality. @Kimberly Anderson @Phil A - just another February Rosé day in San Diego. Stay warm! ⛄️ — 9 years ago

Marc Melser

9.0

We had the 2014 Vintage on 2/27-28/26. Tastes of candied apple and bing cherry. A very good wine. The tastes now are different from when I had the same wine 6 years ago. Interesting. The remarkable comment is how this wine is sailing four years after the notes say it should be consumed — 7 months ago

Peter Coulthard

8.9

NW. Decent but not spectacular — 4 years ago

Erica Gamble

9.0

Dark, inky color. Smooth. Chocolate, plum. Solid choice. — 6 years ago

Sarah

9.2

Medium bodied, little dry, fruity. Would be good with steak. — 6 years ago

James Forsyth

9.2

Nicely balanced, red fruit, plums, smoke, graphite. Good mouthfeel. Clearly all the stops are pulled out to make this. Impressive given Virginia has otherwise been short notable wine for quite a few centuries. — 7 years ago

Matthew Bauer

9.5

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

Natalya Pemberton

9.0

A little too much vanilla for me, but it was beautifully balanced by the acidity. Very delicious wine. — 9 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

Anders Berglund

8.9

Friskt syrligt gott — 2 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Bordeaux-Style Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (68%), Merlot (28%), Petite Verdot (2%) and Cabernet Franc (2%). Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Brilliant nose of plush red fruit, graphite and high quality oak. Bold red and black fruit flavors with hints of earth, cocoa, dried herbs and spices. Very long and Smokey finish. Bold, complex and concentrated. Tannins are very smooth. Nice choice, Kasey! — 4 years ago

Tania Vetluzhskikh

8.9

Tasted in 2020 — 6 years ago

Cameron Parry

9.0

Wood got in the way of the fruit... otherwise totally solid. — 6 years ago

Brooke Swalm

9.0

Always a solid choice. — 7 years ago

with Gerald

Julie Hamilton

9.5

Always a reliable choice 👌🏻 — 8 years ago

Jay Miner

9.0

The 2015, the other half of the night's comparison. Less subtle, more floral. Jasmine, rose petal, honey. All powerful, but all a bit separate and distinct. I think this could lie down for a good while. Will be pleased to try another bottle in a few years. — 9 years ago