David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Bottle in and bottle out, always delivers regardless of vintage with this kind of age and more. Hour and a half decant.

Still round, softened medium plus tannins. Ripe, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, some fig & date, dry, crushed, ripe crushed rocks, dry top soil, dark, bit driven spice, sandalwood to barrel shavings, fresh & used tobacco w/ ash, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon stick, vanilla, some black licorice/cola, withering, candied; dark, red, purple flowers, round rainfall acidity, balance for days, nicely tensioned and elegance & polish that lasts two-minutes. — 15 days ago

Lindsey Boyce

9.5

It’s Josh
Enjoyed w Nick — 6 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.3

The 1989 Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard from Calera is a real surprise. I am inexperienced with respect to mature Californian Pinot Noir, and Josh Jensen’s wine was a revelation. Candied red fruit commingles with blood orange and Kirsch, unmistakably not from Burgundy because it is too rich, but it is certainly not over-ripe. The palate is overly sweet and Californian on the entry. Still, there is structure behind this Pinot extant after more than three decades, with quite plush raspberry fruit on the quintessentially Californian finish. It's just a lovely wine that is, once again, perfect to drink now. (Neal Martin, Vinous, April 2024)
— 2 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Still one of the best Napa Cabernets for the money. 12 a fruity & very high yield vintage in Napa Valley.

12 is a fruit leaning vintage. It is juicy, ripe, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum pudding, some boysenberries, cedar, medium plus tannins, dry tobacco, leather, dry leaves, expresso, French barrel shavings, sandstone, dark, rich, sweet, turned earth, stems, black, rich, sweet earth, steeped tea, alluvial limestone minerals, baking spices, liquid, dark, red, purple flowers, w/ rainfall acidity and an elegant, rich, fruit driven finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.

12 a vintage to age, but not long age. Lacks the tannins to do what 13, 14 will.

Happy birthday Angela. — 19 days ago

Larry Chase

9.1

Enjoyed this with home fired pizza, but I imagine it would pair with chocolate or a rare cut of beef such as a fillet. — 24 days ago

with Drew

Conrad Green

9.3

Big and fleshy. Inky intense fruit. Dense and quite fresh on the palate. Very pure — 3 months ago

with Paul and Ara

tonyap81

9.1

Perfect blend great boutique black cherries and toasted cedar. — 12 days ago

Jay Eagan

9.8

Always fantastic with a Kobe ribeye — 11 days ago

with Kristine

Delectable Wine

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9.6

The 2012 Insignia is in great shape today. Bright acids lend tremendous energy to a mid-weight Insignia that is more about finesse rather than power. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's not much left to say. The 2012 offers tons of pure pleasure. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— a month ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Lovely balance. Cool plummy fruit with minerality and a savory delicious softness. Understated but excellent — 3 months ago

with Paul and Ara