Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Red Wine

9.473 ratings
9.38 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Red Bordeaux Blend
Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, White Rice, Mushrooms, Pasta, Pork, Salami & Prosciutto, Pungent Cheese, Lamb, Tomato-Based, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Beef, Hard Cheese, Venison
Top Notes For
Bill Bender

From Mag with bone-in NY prime. This is finally in an approachable drinking window. An hour decant gave this wings. As “Bordeaux” an Insignia I’ve had in a while. I know it’s a Bordeaux blend but it’s never really performed that way for me. Great strength here, silky lines and some legit nuance.

From Mag with bone-in NY prime. This is finally in an approachable drinking window. An hour decant gave this wings. As “Bordeaux” an Insignia I’ve had in a while. I know it’s a Bordeaux blend but it’s never really performed that way for me. Great strength here, silky lines and some legit nuance.

Oct 19th, 2018
Bill Bender

Inky purple with gritty tannins, spirited fresh silky fruit. A substantial brooding wine with miles and miles left in the tank but so damn good right now. The ‘08s and ‘09s from the North CA Coast that I felt were impenetrable fruit bombs the last few years are really blooming now. Drink up but decant.

Inky purple with gritty tannins, spirited fresh silky fruit. A substantial brooding wine with miles and miles left in the tank but so damn good right now. The ‘08s and ‘09s from the North CA Coast that I felt were impenetrable fruit bombs the last few years are really blooming now. Drink up but decant.

Oct 16th, 2017
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is the 08 Insignia out of magnum. This drinking beautifully.

On the nose, ripe, ruby, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries & creamy raspberries. Black licorice, vanilla, some fig, sweet soils, light baking spices with fresh red and very dark flowers.

On the palate, the body is near full. The tannins are beautifully rounded. It guides across the palate. So fresh and beautiful! blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries & creamy raspberries. Black licorice, vanilla, some fig, sweet soils, light baking spices, river stone, crushed rocks, cedar, with fresh red and very dark flowers. Beautiful round acidity and an elegantly polished finish.

This is the 08 Insignia out of magnum. This drinking beautifully.

On the nose, ripe, ruby, lush fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries & creamy raspberries. Black licorice, vanilla, some fig, sweet soils, light baking spices with fresh red and very dark flowers.

On the palate, the body is near full. The tannins are beautifully rounded. It guides across the palate. So fresh and beautiful! blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries & creamy raspberries. Black licorice, vanilla, some fig, sweet soils, light baking spices, river stone, crushed rocks, cedar, with fresh red and very dark flowers. Beautiful round acidity and an elegantly polished finish.

1 person found it helpfulMay 19th, 2018
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Dark ruby red. Rich and earthy with notes of dark berries, and some damp forest. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. Dark palate as well with dark cocoa, cigar box and black berries. Long finish and drinking well with some air. Drink till 2027.

Dark ruby red. Rich and earthy with notes of dark berries, and some damp forest. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. Dark palate as well with dark cocoa, cigar box and black berries. Long finish and drinking well with some air. Drink till 2027.

1 person found it helpfulDec 8th, 2017
Brian Thompson

Sales & Marketing Krupp Brothers Winery, Stagecoach Vineyard

9.2

Wow the Petit Verdot really shows in this vintage. Black fruits, dusty herbs and chocolate aromas leap out of the glass. Always a treat!

Wow the Petit Verdot really shows in this vintage. Black fruits, dusty herbs and chocolate aromas leap out of the glass. Always a treat!

Feb 10th, 2017
Mitzi Inglis

Marketing/Public Relations, Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.4

Biased review. #josephphelps

Biased review. #josephphelps

Jul 12th, 2016
Michael Sinowitz

Terrific like my last bottle. In a very good spot but will definitely hold.

Terrific like my last bottle. In a very good spot but will definitely hold.

Jul 25th, 2020
Michael Sinowitz

Really quite impressive. Elegant and well balanced. Tannins read as softened but otherwise the flavor profile doesn’t speak too much to its age. Drinking very well now.

Really quite impressive. Elegant and well balanced. Tannins read as softened but otherwise the flavor profile doesn’t speak too much to its age. Drinking very well now.

Mar 9th, 2020
Skip Smyser

Great breakfast wine at the winery! Lovely rich flavor with mellow tannins. Wonderful lingering taste. At member appreciation day.

Great breakfast wine at the winery! Lovely rich flavor with mellow tannins. Wonderful lingering taste. At member appreciation day.

May 14th, 2021
Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2008: Bold. Rich. Stunning. Velvety black fruits. Mocha. Eucalyptus. Leather. Consisting of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot & 4% Merlot, this was the perfect 1.5L of pure liquid greatness. What better way to celebrate two milestone events but with this extremely special bottle. Simply the finest Napa Valley Bordeaux-style blend ever! Happy Birthday mom & Happy belated 50th Anniversary! Cheers🍷

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2008: Bold. Rich. Stunning. Velvety black fruits. Mocha. Eucalyptus. Leather. Consisting of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot & 4% Merlot, this was the perfect 1.5L of pure liquid greatness. What better way to celebrate two milestone events but with this extremely special bottle. Simply the finest Napa Valley Bordeaux-style blend ever! Happy Birthday mom & Happy belated 50th Anniversary! Cheers🍷

May 3rd, 2021