Pooneet K

9.2

Very nice wine from La Mission. Decanted 3 hours which I’d suggest - at cork pop it was a bit woody. Bit less acid than I was hoping, and actually ever so slightly disjointed. But still delicious and just a beautiful pairing with some nice ribeye. Aromatically very nice but the palate could be more together and present. — 3 years ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.3

Last night we enjoyed the 2017 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. From Healdsburg, California, a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and small portions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.

On the nose is black cherry, blackberry, black plum, black currant, cassis, herbaceous and graphite.

On the palate is black cherry, blackberry, plum, black currant, cassis, some herbaceousness, a bit of chocolate, a bit woody and earth.

This is a beautiful winee that is medium + to full bodied and a smooth mouthfeel, medium to medium + acidity and medium + firm sandy mouthcoating tannins that moves easily into a long black fruit graphite earthy finish. Here it is the end of a wonderful weekend and I hope everyone's weekend was one of joy and happiness. The week ahead is upon us so please stay safe and healthy. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 4 years ago

Paul J. Sorbo

9.3

Wonderful mouthfeel, woody sweetness and big earthiness — 5 years ago

Nicolas Gyma

9.0

Solid. The woody notes area TWing but smooth. — 6 years ago

Robert Rothfield

9.6

A great gin (no Vermouth) quarantini!😎 — 6 years ago

Dmitri Baranov

9.0

Definitely woody, not so much floral, but very nice and balanced. 2012 vintage in 2019, November — 7 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. — 8 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

The best possible medium plus ballpark frank aromas then bright and birch-y (if I dare say so) on the palate. Smoke is the calling card, earth and bakery aromas back it up. — 4 years ago

Andrew Liguori

8.9

Dense dark cherries, woody spices, dried flowers, slight drying but fine tannins to finish. Nice with a pork rágu — 5 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. — 6 years ago

with Jedd, Kris and 1 other

Chris Williams

9.0

Fruity. Woody. Bit dry. 13.5 % — 6 years ago

Rolf Bigler

9.3

Preis: CHF 87.- — 6 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. — 7 years ago

with John

Mike Smith

10

Campari but…better? — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Ruby with red fruit aromas and herb floral scents. On the palate flavors of sour cherry & dried berries, cinnamon, licorice, tar and herb notes. Full fine tannins bring fruit to long finish ending with woody earthy mineral character. Wonderful! Great now, will age! — 4 years ago

Greg Bencivengo

9.0

Very fruity aroma. Complex and fun! Woody blackberry, gooseberry and canned black olive flavors. Solid acidic backbone. Excellent color like red plum flesh. — 5 years ago

with Josh

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Elegant and brightly fruited (cherries, fresh figs). Very well balanced, soft woody spices like cinnamon, cloves, licorice and sandalwood.
Marvelous... — 6 years ago

James Pullman

9.3

Interesting woody/oaky — 6 years ago

Elizabeth Sutcliffe

9.0

Frigging delicious. Sweet but with a woody aftertaste. — 6 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. — 7 years ago