Paul J. Sorbo

9.3

Wonderful mouthfeel, woody sweetness and big earthiness — 4 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Elegant and brightly fruited (cherries, fresh figs). Very well balanced, soft woody spices like cinnamon, cloves, licorice and sandalwood.
Marvelous... — 5 years ago

James Pullman

9.3

Interesting woody/oaky — 5 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.4

5 Red Grape Spanish Priorat Blend. A walk through a blueberry patch. Hints of black currant and dried prunes. Woody and Smokey. Hints of dried herbs and dark chocolate. Youthful even though it is more than a decade past the vintage date. Delicious! Thanks John. — 6 years ago

with John

Andre Sosa, Dr Orange

9.2

In an event! Taste didn't realized since I got the bottle. Woody and fruits. — 6 years ago

Jesus Figueroa

9.0

Smooth and delicate after taste woody And tanic feeling. — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Second of the blind tasting for Father's Day weekend.

Deep garnet red with bricking on the edges. A touch of tomatoes on the nose with some herbs. Gained some complexity with time in the glass, notes of dark cocoa, a touch savory, woody, gunpowder, dark fruits and graphite. Medium tannins (6/10) and medium plus bodied. Dark fruits on the palate with some nice sweet spices, graphite and a touch of heat. Long finish. Drink till 2021.

Nicely opened up with a couple hours in the glass, and still packing a punch on day two. Excellent inaugural vintage for the Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon from Witchery Wines. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Doug Powers

9.1

Initially pretty closed, cedar and some woody (oak) notes, fruit is mature, tannic structure has receded, medium-long finish, very good if a tad rustic, but lacks the depth of better classified growths. — 4 years ago

with Jim

Nicolas Gyma

9.0

Solid. The woody notes area TWing but smooth. — 5 years ago

Elizabeth Sutcliffe

9.0

Frigging delicious. Sweet but with a woody aftertaste. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

The Joseph Phelps Party. This is the 17 Insignia.

The nose shows; brooding, black currants, dark tarriness, heavy expresso roast grounds, heavily extracted; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum with skin, raspberries, cherries and strawberries faintly on the glass edges. Smoked meats, deep baking spices; clove, nutmeg, light cinnamon and just a touch of vanilla, dark turned earth, some dry top soil and fresh dark florals bouquet dominated with violets and lavender.

The body is round & full. The fruits are ripe, candied & juicy. It’s a brooding Insignia that will need lots of cellar time. The body is thick, round and heavy. Dark tarry, meaty tannins. Dark currants and well extracted; blackberries, black raspberries & black plum. Raspberries, cherries, and strawberries bring up the rear. Smoked meats, anise, tough leather, big pipe tobacco, woody, deep baking spices; clove, nutmeg, light cinnamon and just a touch of vanilla, dark turned earth, some dry top soil, dry to moist clay, graphite and fresh dark florals bouquet dominated with violets and lavender. The acidity is round and big. The full finish is brooding, well textured with great balance and persists endlessly. — 6 years ago

tim heyman

9.1

very gd not too woody flavorful with oysters — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

The fruit for this Pinot comes from two of the coolest, most coastal parts of this appellation, linked by the influence of the Pacific’s cool marine air, which delays ripening. Bright Ruby with berry fruit, citrus and warm spice. On the palate, raspberry and cherry, tangy, with cedar notes and earthy tones. Bright acidity, soft expressive tannins, lingering finish ending with woody spice. Very nice, has room to age. — 8 years ago

Kai Wright

9.4

For a 2020 tree trimming, a trip to 1968 felt appropriate... and it’s got staying power.... Leather, woody herbs, prunes and dried cranberry, funky mid palate, a long cherry finish, bright acid. An elegant old guy. — 4 years ago

with Jedd, Kris and 1 other

Chris Williams

9.0

Fruity. Woody. Bit dry. 13.5 % — 5 years ago

Dmitri Baranov

9.0

Definitely woody, not so much floral, but very nice and balanced. 2012 vintage in 2019, November — 5 years ago

Mike Daniel

9.4

beautiful!! Excellent bouquet just captivates. Rich fruit on the dark side and robust tannins, even at 15 years. Impeccable balance carries all the way through a significant finish, moving from woody oak/sandalwood and blueberries to ripe blackberry and granite toward the end. A powerful Helena classic profile, but glycerol and balance that’s exceptional. A new favorite. However, I suspect it can’t go much longer, as a small pour the second night kept over for comparison lost all structure and much flavor (but kept the beautiful aroma!) — 6 years ago

Martin Sher

9.3

Elegant amaro with woody orange backed with spice. Finish leaves with a hint of orange pith bitterness. Lighter side of the amaro spectrum. — 7 years ago

Andrew Lohse

9.4

Woody, intense, hard-hitting. — 8 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.4

Deep mix of garnet and ruby red. Layered nose with a slightly woody attack and red cherries. Undertones coated in damp leaves, gravel and even some softer dark fruits like plums. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and balanced. Great acidity with a silky texture. Layered with tons of red mountain berries, dark gravel and a touch perfumey. Big full bodied wine with a lingering finish. Drink till 2036. — 8 years ago

with India