Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
The 2011 Insignia is superb. Deep, layered and so expressive, Insignia is without question one of the wines of the year. Had I tasted it blind, I would have never guessed it is a wine from a challenging year. Still fresh and vibrant, the 2011 is such a pleasure to taste today. Hints of sage, tobacco, spice, menthol and pine add lovely aromatic top notes to a core of inky blue/purplish fruit. The 2011 has turned out even better than I had originally expected. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022)
The 2011 Insignia is superb. Deep, layered and so expressive, Insignia is without question one of the wines of the year. Had I tasted it blind, I would have never guessed it is a wine from a challenging year. Still fresh and vibrant, the 2011 is such a pleasure to taste today. Hints of sage, tobacco, spice, menthol and pine add lovely aromatic top notes to a core of inky blue/purplish fruit. The 2011 has turned out even better than I had originally expected. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022)
Most palatable of the $200+ Cab Queens. Still not really my cup of tea...I mean wine. Overripe fruit, massive oak, and limited aromas.
Most palatable of the $200+ Cab Queens. Still not really my cup of tea...I mean wine. Overripe fruit, massive oak, and limited aromas.
1 person found it helpfulMay 15th, 2015
inspired by one @Carl Fischer I decided to check on a 2011 i had been holding onto. Short finish but no green for a mostly valley floor wine. The tobacco and cedar box that insignia is known for was there for sure. this probably won't be a 20yr vintage for them I would drink now for another 5.
inspired by one @Carl Fischer I decided to check on a 2011 i had been holding onto. Short finish but no green for a mostly valley floor wine. The tobacco and cedar box that insignia is known for was there for sure. this probably won't be a 20yr vintage for them I would drink now for another 5.
May 14th, 2017
The wine was double decanted and we tasted it after three hours later. On the nose, a touch of pepper, soft spices, blueberries, blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, black raspberries, black plums, rich dark soils, light vanilla and fresh and decayed dark soils. The 2011 is very lean. It tasted like it had 10-12 years of bottle age rather than it's 6. Not to say that the 11 is turning just yet, but I certainly don't believe this is going to be a long cellar vintage. Soft fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, black plum, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, crushed dry rock powder, very soft leather, mid intensity volcanic minerals, lightly brewed coffee, strawberries come on later and acidity that could be better. The 2011 is not going to hold up as many of the other Insignia vintages do. It's already not as rich and full bodied as other vintages at 6 years of age. On the long finish, it's already showing some fig, date and prune qualities. Photos of their big dinning room and some wildly fragrant white roses on the back terrace.
The wine was double decanted and we tasted it after three hours later. On the nose, a touch of pepper, soft spices, blueberries, blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, black raspberries, black plums, rich dark soils, light vanilla and fresh and decayed dark soils. The 2011 is very lean. It tasted like it had 10-12 years of bottle age rather than it's 6. Not to say that the 11 is turning just yet, but I certainly don't believe this is going to be a long cellar vintage. Soft fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, black plum, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, crushed dry rock powder, very soft leather, mid intensity volcanic minerals, lightly brewed coffee, strawberries come on later and acidity that could be better. The 2011 is not going to hold up as many of the other Insignia vintages do. It's already not as rich and full bodied as other vintages at 6 years of age. On the long finish, it's already showing some fig, date and prune qualities. Photos of their big dinning room and some wildly fragrant white roses on the back terrace.
May 9th, 2017
For my 1300th review, here on Delectable, No introduction needed...
Intense dark Inky/ purple in color with a purple rim.
Gorgeous nose of red vanilla, oak, (and more oak and vanilla), blackberries, black currants, plums, sweet cherries, figs, chocolates, raisins, light cloves, pencil lead, licorice, leather, spices and black pepper.
Full-bodied and bold, smooth and elegant, with medium plus acidity and gorgeous legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, blueberries, figs, cherries, black currants, leather, coffee, chocolates, tobacco, spices and peppercorn.
Long finish with firm tannins, spices and black pepper.
What a great pleasure I had with this Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Smooth, concentrated, balanced and chewy on the palate, with a great mouth feel.
I didn't have the luxury to let it open up enough, and that's too bad. Needed 3 hours, and I had only an hour (It was devoured very quickly... )
Still young, and not to its full potential yet, but drinking so well already, just by itself or with a big piece of steak. I paired it with lamb chops on the grill.
A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, 2% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 24 months in 100% French oak barrels.
Robert Parker 93 points, Wine Enthusiasts 96. I'm at 95 points.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
For my 1300th review, here on Delectable, No introduction needed...
Intense dark Inky/ purple in color with a purple rim.
Gorgeous nose of red vanilla, oak, (and more oak and vanilla), blackberries, black currants, plums, sweet cherries, figs, chocolates, raisins, light cloves, pencil lead, licorice, leather, spices and black pepper.
Full-bodied and bold, smooth and elegant, with medium plus acidity and gorgeous legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, blueberries, figs, cherries, black currants, leather, coffee, chocolates, tobacco, spices and peppercorn.
Long finish with firm tannins, spices and black pepper.
What a great pleasure I had with this Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Smooth, concentrated, balanced and chewy on the palate, with a great mouth feel.
I didn't have the luxury to let it open up enough, and that's too bad. Needed 3 hours, and I had only an hour (It was devoured very quickly... )
Still young, and not to its full potential yet, but drinking so well already, just by itself or with a big piece of steak. I paired it with lamb chops on the grill.
A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, 2% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 24 months in 100% French oak barrels.
Robert Parker 93 points, Wine Enthusiasts 96. I'm at 95 points.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
Dark red fruit with tobacco and pencil shavings
Dark red fruit with tobacco and pencil shavings
Aug 21st, 2016
Beast. For a 2011, this is drinking quite nicely. Soft, subtle... Full of sex appeal.
Beast. For a 2011, this is drinking quite nicely. Soft, subtle... Full of sex appeal.
Feb 22nd, 2016
Dark cassis, very herbaceous, leathery, crush dry rock, black olive, strong mineral finish. Higher % of Petit Verdot in this vintage.
Dark cassis, very herbaceous, leathery, crush dry rock, black olive, strong mineral finish. Higher % of Petit Verdot in this vintage.
Jun 13th, 2015