Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I recently had a conversation with a few Joseph Phelps Ambassador’s at Pebble Beach Food & Wine in April. I said, I had every vintage of Insignia back to 2006 in storage. They said, “you should really drink up the 2006.” So, I coravined an 06 last weekend, a taste. I agreed then. But tonight not the case, it shows it still has a fair amount of life. Another 5-8 yrs and perhaps plus.

My Ribcap, a definition of Medium Rare Plus.

The nose reveals floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, softly layered baking spices, very underrated graphite, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola.

The palate shows well resolved, rounded, velvety M+ tannins. Nicely ripe fruits that are floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel river, softly layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanillin, warm caramel, dark Asian spices with palate burrowing heat, dry tobacco/ leather, cedar, grilled meats, very underrated graphite, sweet tarriness, black licorice, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola, candied to withering; dark, red, blue florals wrapped in liquid violets, epic rainfall acidity, well balanced-structured-toned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on earth & heated spice.

95-96 peaking. — 11 days ago

Andrea Watt

8.9

Plum and mushroom with a touch of pepper. Good but a little earthy for me. — 9 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.2

Cherry, oak, and a hint of cinnamon. Medium bodied and approachable. — 9 days ago

Kelley Raymond

9.6

Incredibly smooth when that aged — 13 days ago

Mo

9.2

A superb Zinfandel blend that tastes great now and possesses the requisite structure to age. Ridge sets the standard in American winemaking. Their corpus of high quality wines is unmatched in America and challenges the entire industry worldwide. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2023 vintage. Nice stuffing but much better for the price abounding in the marketplace now. 7.1.26. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Dark Ruby red color with aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry, raspberry and black currant with espresso, cacao, cedar and earthy spice notes. Good balance, lively acidity, fine tannins long ending with fruit and toasty tobacco spice! Nice! — 3 days ago

Angelo Casagrande

9.4

This drank beautifully. Loads of cherry and blackberry, some spice and leather, soft mouthfeel, fully integrated tannins. Loved it. Grilled rib eyes. Awesome dinner! — 2 days ago

Jocholla

9.0

Nice drinker with The Long Night episode. Blackberry, black current, graphite, little vanilla. Good wine for the price. — a month ago

Lars

9.2

9 years has done this well! — 23 days ago

Lars

9.3

You can always count on Ridge — 4 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a purple rim.

Beautiful nose and medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red and black fruits with cedar, licorice, chocolates, herbs, light earth, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and light green vegetables.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This iconic Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Santa Cruz Mountains in California is still very young, but already delicious, even by itself.

Needs a few hours to open up properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 30 years. Showing good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that paired beautifully with my Lamb chops.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged in American oak barrels for 20 months.

13.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300. — a month ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.2

Big and dense. Olives. Otherwise mostly what one would expect. Quite dark.
. — a month ago

Brad Jensen

9.3

Surprisingly ready nose, like fresh crust of a sourdough, with Buddha’s hand or star fruit dry citrus merged with some dry mineral freshness. There’s actually a hint of band aid in there as well, though not off putting. The bubbles dissipate relatively quickly, but the palate is long and lingering, with tons of acidity, some slight baking notes, and a nice dry, energetic finish that keeps the dry citrus at the forefront. — 10 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.2

David Hirsch passed away this week - so this is a tough one. Gained complexity with time 4 days under Argon gas line. Mostly raspberry driven. No cherry here…. — 12 days ago

Abe Froman

9.8

Delicious @caymus with wife m. The bartender Steve let me know that this is what 90% of people come in for and it’s incredible. Super smooth. — 24 days ago

Jason Phillips

9.0

Good nose. Dark red color. Lighter than expected but great finish. — 21 days ago

Jason Phillips

9.3

Wonderful, aromatic nose. Beautiful deep purple color. Great balance with strong tannins. Hints of black currant, oak, and dark fruit on the palate. Dry with a long lingering finish. Great wine. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2003 vintage. Opened and decanted without issues or concerns. Used a Durand to open and cork was in great shape. Tasted after 30 minutes. The usual light-medium body. Plenty of polish at the 20+ year marker with unanticipated, ruff splash of chunkiness on the finish. Approx 4-5 years away from the absolute, top of the bell curve now but, given the pedigree, could possibly absorb that timescape another 5-spot and I wouldn't argue. Drink now or later. Either or. Ain't gonna disappoint unless you swing exclusively on Napa mountain fruit vines. 7.1.26. — a month ago

Lindsey Kelley

9.1

A very good Cab given to me for a Christmas present one year by my brother. Drank on 6/27/26 with Matt — a month ago