Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
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, 2017Mixed dark wild berries, herbs, spice, sweet tar and a touch of black olive nose. Fruit are ripe, juicy and somewhat lean yet thick and big. Start lean and move to big. Black cassis, dark raspberries & cherries, strawberries on the edges, sweet tar, spice, black tea, used leather, cedar, graphite, lead pencil shavings, moist forest floor, black licorice anise, granulated edgy dark minerals, good acidity and a round dark ripe juicy fruit finish.
Mixed dark wild berries, herbs, spice, sweet tar and a touch of black olive nose. Fruit are ripe, juicy and somewhat lean yet thick and big. Start lean and move to big. Black cassis, dark raspberries & cherries, strawberries on the edges, sweet tar, spice, black tea, used leather, cedar, graphite, lead pencil shavings, moist forest floor, black licorice anise, granulated edgy dark minerals, good acidity and a round dark ripe juicy fruit finish.
Sep 18th, 2016Boysenberry and violet nose. Dark black currant palate. Strong concentrated of dark fruit, spice, baking spices, melted dark chocolate and a touch of tar.
Boysenberry and violet nose. Dark black currant palate. Strong concentrated of dark fruit, spice, baking spices, melted dark chocolate and a touch of tar.
May 8th, 2016