Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Red Wine
Napa Valley, California, USA
dark violet; blackberry, cocoa powder, vanilla, violets; blackberry cobbler, sweet dark fruits; full bodied, medium+ acidity, fine grained tannins, 14.5% ABV; blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec, aged 24 months in 100% new French oak; $220
dark violet; blackberry, cocoa powder, vanilla, violets; blackberry cobbler, sweet dark fruits; full bodied, medium+ acidity, fine grained tannins, 14.5% ABV; blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec, aged 24 months in 100% new French oak; $220
Oct 20th, 2019
The 14 Insignia out of 750ml.
On the nose, very dark currant/cassis. Expresso roast, nice backing spices; vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg & clove. Dark spice, black tea, red florals, violets, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, dry crushed rocks, black, rich soil, volcanic minerals and some black licorice.
The body is full. Tannins are big, rounded, sticky/chewy with a dusty dry long palate set. The fruits are ripe and less dark than the nose. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, cherries, dry crushed rocks, black, rich soil, volcanic minerals, black licorice, expresso roast, backing spices; vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg & clove. Dark spice, black tea with bright red florals & violets. Good waterfall acidity. The structure, length, texture and balance are well executed. The finish is beautiful, floral fruits and lasts minutes.
The wine is starting to close down and should slumber for 15-20 years.
The 14 Insignia out of 750ml.
On the nose, very dark currant/cassis. Expresso roast, nice backing spices; vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg & clove. Dark spice, black tea, red florals, violets, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, dry crushed rocks, black, rich soil, volcanic minerals and some black licorice.
The body is full. Tannins are big, rounded, sticky/chewy with a dusty dry long palate set. The fruits are ripe and less dark than the nose. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, cherries, dry crushed rocks, black, rich soil, volcanic minerals, black licorice, expresso roast, backing spices; vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg & clove. Dark spice, black tea with bright red florals & violets. Good waterfall acidity. The structure, length, texture and balance are well executed. The finish is beautiful, floral fruits and lasts minutes.
The wine is starting to close down and should slumber for 15-20 years.
2014, in its youth you can smell the petite verdot and it isn't shy on the oak
2014, in its youth you can smell the petite verdot and it isn't shy on the oak
May 8th, 2018
Wow what a wine! Yet again the Insignia delivers a proprietary blend that is consistent with their long past time of creating one of Napa Valley’s elite Bordeaux style blends. The intensity, complexity and balance that is delivered every vintage is why this wine year in and year out receives top marks. The 2014 has a dense, opaque ruby red core. The bouquet is intense and concentrated with a wide array of flavors including, ripe black and red berries, red cassis, fresh cooking herbs, freshly cut violets and a soft note of rocky earth. The palate is powerful, complex and persistent with structured yet silky tannins. The mouth feel is juicy with a refreshing balance that offer up a long finish. Tasting the wine two separate times you will definitely want to open it up and let it breath or decant for 1-2 hours to get maximum enjoyment from this bottling. Drink Now- 2035.
Wow what a wine! Yet again the Insignia delivers a proprietary blend that is consistent with their long past time of creating one of Napa Valley’s elite Bordeaux style blends. The intensity, complexity and balance that is delivered every vintage is why this wine year in and year out receives top marks. The 2014 has a dense, opaque ruby red core. The bouquet is intense and concentrated with a wide array of flavors including, ripe black and red berries, red cassis, fresh cooking herbs, freshly cut violets and a soft note of rocky earth. The palate is powerful, complex and persistent with structured yet silky tannins. The mouth feel is juicy with a refreshing balance that offer up a long finish. Tasting the wine two separate times you will definitely want to open it up and let it breath or decant for 1-2 hours to get maximum enjoyment from this bottling. Drink Now- 2035.
Aug 31st, 2017
Hot, plush ripe fruits, confectionery, integrated tannins
Hot, plush ripe fruits, confectionery, integrated tannins
1 person found it helpfulNov 29th, 2017
Didn’t disappoint. Only 2014 we could find on the menu and it delivered.
Didn’t disappoint. Only 2014 we could find on the menu and it delivered.
Dec 23rd, 2022
That time when Saturday Halloween costume shenanigans led to another great bottle.
No better time than the present to open that great bottle (assuming it’s not a baby). At some point during my wine evolution I realized that if I wait until the “perfect moment” to open that special bottle of wine, I might never open it. I am not going to get ridiculously carried away opening every bottle, but I am making an effort to enjoy fantastic wines soon rather than later.
The details: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc and was brought up all in 100% new French oak for 24 months. This wine comes from six estate vineyards across Napa Valley, from St. Helena to Oak Knoll District. Winemaker Ashley Hepworth.
Rule # 53 - Make the occasion, don’t wait for the occasion.
That time when Saturday Halloween costume shenanigans led to another great bottle.
No better time than the present to open that great bottle (assuming it’s not a baby). At some point during my wine evolution I realized that if I wait until the “perfect moment” to open that special bottle of wine, I might never open it. I am not going to get ridiculously carried away opening every bottle, but I am making an effort to enjoy fantastic wines soon rather than later.
The details: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc and was brought up all in 100% new French oak for 24 months. This wine comes from six estate vineyards across Napa Valley, from St. Helena to Oak Knoll District. Winemaker Ashley Hepworth.
Rule # 53 - Make the occasion, don’t wait for the occasion.