Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Red Wine
Napa Valley, California, USA
Weston hosted Friday group today and was it definitely a can’t miss tasting. Wow! Absolutely knocked it out of the park with heavy hitter after heavy hitter. Similar to Wednesday group, all wines are tasted blind.
I’ve been fortunate to have the ‘12, ‘13 and ‘14 all within two weeks. While I think the ‘12 has been my favorite, this was close. Not sure of the merlot usage here, but it was fairly soft and plush. Ripe blueberries and blackberries but also some tobacco and grilled meats. A few people wondered if this wine could be a Cali Syrah (in comparison to the last 2).
Weston hosted Friday group today and was it definitely a can’t miss tasting. Wow! Absolutely knocked it out of the park with heavy hitter after heavy hitter. Similar to Wednesday group, all wines are tasted blind.
I’ve been fortunate to have the ‘12, ‘13 and ‘14 all within two weeks. While I think the ‘12 has been my favorite, this was close. Not sure of the merlot usage here, but it was fairly soft and plush. Ripe blueberries and blackberries but also some tobacco and grilled meats. A few people wondered if this wine could be a Cali Syrah (in comparison to the last 2).
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
Paired great with the 36 oz tomahawk steak. Cracked it out for the bday dinner. Great for a celebration.
Paired great with the 36 oz tomahawk steak. Cracked it out for the bday dinner. Great for a celebration.
Apr 8th, 2023
The 3rd and final bottle of the 11’ vintage (a underestimated vintage IMO), and it keeps getting better. The slight green note from the previous 2 bottles is no longer present. At a great place now. While it does not have the usual richness and power, it’s impeccably balanced, fresh, seamless, and graceful, which is preferable to me.
And I can’t thinking of a better bottle to pair with Pekin duck.
Almost perfect!
The 3rd and final bottle of the 11’ vintage (a underestimated vintage IMO), and it keeps getting better. The slight green note from the previous 2 bottles is no longer present. At a great place now. While it does not have the usual richness and power, it’s impeccably balanced, fresh, seamless, and graceful, which is preferable to me.
And I can’t thinking of a better bottle to pair with Pekin duck.
Almost perfect!
Awesome! Great Christmas Eve wine!
Awesome! Great Christmas Eve wine!
2011 was the last less than ideal vintage with cool summer and rainy fall before a run of consecutive great vintages, but I found the 2011 has the added layer of freshness with a bit more herbaceous and green note. And maybe that’s where one can find value (at least relatively for an insignia).
2011 was the last less than ideal vintage with cool summer and rainy fall before a run of consecutive great vintages, but I found the 2011 has the added layer of freshness with a bit more herbaceous and green note. And maybe that’s where one can find value (at least relatively for an insignia).