Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Red Wine
Napa Valley, California, USA
Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.
The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.
Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.
The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.
Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in.
Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.
The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.
Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.
The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.
Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in.
One of my favorite Insignia vintages and a great time to drink it. Blackberry, plum, caramel, graphite, chocolate, and smooth finish. Biased review :)
One of my favorite Insignia vintages and a great time to drink it. Blackberry, plum, caramel, graphite, chocolate, and smooth finish. Biased review :)
Sep 26th, 2016
Boom. Huge and muscular. WS says past it’s window - but not to me! Nose of blackberry and slight secondary herbal notes Polished and smooth - with a huge Cali Cab sweetness but not overdone. Excellent way to end the year. !!
Boom. Huge and muscular. WS says past it’s window - but not to me! Nose of blackberry and slight secondary herbal notes Polished and smooth - with a huge Cali Cab sweetness but not overdone. Excellent way to end the year. !!
Jan 1st, 2022
This was a stunning wine from our cellar, enjoyed on Christmas Day 2020 to accompany Japanese wagu steaks! Beautifully balanced and velvety finish!! This vintage is 92% Cab, 7% Petite Verdot and a mere 1% Merlot. Loved it!
This was a stunning wine from our cellar, enjoyed on Christmas Day 2020 to accompany Japanese wagu steaks! Beautifully balanced and velvety finish!! This vintage is 92% Cab, 7% Petite Verdot and a mere 1% Merlot. Loved it!
Dec 28th, 2020
This is so good. Smooth from start to finish and full of aromas and flavors. Ripe black fruits, cedar wood, spices.
This is so good. Smooth from start to finish and full of aromas and flavors. Ripe black fruits, cedar wood, spices.
Jan 27th, 2020
Just an incredible wine. It’s smooth and the age has refined the notes. Still heavy black fruit with some caramel end notes. Amazing and drinking beautifully. 2005 Vintage.
Just an incredible wine. It’s smooth and the age has refined the notes. Still heavy black fruit with some caramel end notes. Amazing and drinking beautifully. 2005 Vintage.
Sep 13th, 2018
In my cellar since release, sencillamente espectacular!!!
In my cellar since release, sencillamente espectacular!!!
Aug 11th, 2018