Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2021 vintage. Tasted via Coravin. So the deals definitely afoot in Napa (and elsewhere in CA) currently. This was light-medium/medium body. Not the biggest Cabernet footprint on the delicate palate. But wow...immediately engaging and intimate simultaneously. Having tasted the late 60's, some 70's, most of the 80's, and nearly all of the 90's-2010's vintages of this at some point...actually feel like this is the wine this property has always wanted to make since inception. It's pure, authentic, and pared to the bone. Zen-like. No fluff, no fat. Tasting a Cabernet like this reminds me (yet again) how bastardized things have truly gotten along CA Hwy 29. Picked up two 6-packs and we'll see how it does. Leaner and biting-playfully. So unlike nearly all Napa cabs these days so it comes across as a huge palate/Napa Cab market reset now. Have been able to take or leave BV over the decades compared to Phelps, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Dunn, Diamond Creek, Mondavi, Mayacamas, Heitz and the rest of the really old guard but blind taste this against any 2020 or newer Napa Cab and/or Bordeaux and see where it slots for you. 8.5.26. — 6 days ago

KA

9.3

Rare Steakhouse Washington DC — 2 months ago

Stephen Fitzpatrick

9.1

2023 Vintage. A very pleasant and easy drinking Napa Cab up front. Decent aroma on the nose, vibrant notes of cherry and blackberry, delicately structured tannins, with a very smooth finish. Not chewy or viscous, but still a bold Cab flavor that resonates with the right amount of spice. Would gladly enjoy again. — 3 months ago

Marc Melser

9.2

We had the 2013 Vintage on 4/17/26. A real good Napa Floor Cab. Tastes of blackberry, plum, mocha and lavender on the finish. Full bodied, well balanced, ready to drink, fine tannins. — 4 months ago

Stephen Fitzpatrick

9.1

2022 vintage, very unique and bold Napa Cab; dark plum in color, aromas of blackberry on the nose, surprising velvety taste with a smooth finish; not chewy nor heavy on the jam despite its nose. Definitely a different Napa Cab experience, but one I would have again. — 4 months ago

Ericsson

9.2

For those in the know. This is the old world style Napa cab which never disappoints. — 7 months ago

Ericsson

9.5

Now this, is a proper Napa Cab. Text book profile and yes, that is a good thing. — 7 months ago

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

Jody Scharf

9.2

A cab that is meant to be on the young side for most flavor. — 3 months ago

Meredith Moody

9.3

This wine is exactly what I think of when I think of a California cab, and this is a compliment. Dark fruit off the bat, I got blackberry and black cherry. I also think this is pretty oaky, which is hit or miss for me, but in this case it gave a night light spiciness. Had a fuller body and good structure. Tannins present but smooth. I feel like this would be a good crowd pleaser as it was good and easy drinking. I bet it would be great with some grilled meats. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Always great. Fresh and delicious. Deserves more time in the cellar. Another 5 yrs before opening another. — 4 months ago

Adam

9.0

Richly sweet flavor profile of berry and cherry, with hints of spice and smokiness. Heavy but to too much so. Very smooth finish. A high quality wine, and more enjoyable than other Cab Sauvs that I’ve tried. — 5 months ago

Dave

9.0

Solid Sonoma Cab that tastes like Left Bank Bordeaux. Supple feel, dark berries, cedar, graphite, tobacco. A little eucalyptus and a little espresso. Lengthy tannins. Drinkable now and will age for some time.
Listening to Radiohead — 7 months 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

Jason Gelman

9.5

2015 Mathhiasson Cab to celebrate Jesse’s pre school graduation. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

When I’m not drinking a Napa Cab, and I’m having a fillet mignon, I reach for a Jordon. Blend of 87% Cab Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot & 1% Malbec, aged 13 months in 100% French oak (35% new). Deep Ruby red color with aromas of red fruit, floral and an array of herb spices. On the palate flavors of blackberry and raspberry with oak, vanilla spice, leather and cacao notes. Rich fine tannins, well balanced and integrated with fruit and oak. Very Nice! Will age well. Just had this at a chophouse, Nice! — 3 months ago

Tony D

9.3

Honing
Nappa 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

Really nice cab. Opened it up yesterday but was way too tired to drink it. Tonight with pasta after the kids spring break it tasted great. Fruit forward but not overly jammy. Nice nose. No heavy tannins. I think it tastes better after dinner with a nice chocolate. Would highly recommend. 39$. 9.3 — 4 months ago

Adam

9.0

My review may not be beneficial to all because of my drinking style. I drink the bottle myself over the course of a week. With this Freakshow Cab Sauv, my review changed from the first to last glass. The first glass was strong, thin, and barely enjoyable. With subsequent glasses tasted a developing sweetness and thickness. I realize this is counter intuitive to wines normally being best when being allowed to breathe a bit after opening. Just wasn’t the case for me with this one. Rating was a 6.5 to start and a 9.5 at the end I’m grading with a curve to give it an overall 9. Will buy again based on Freakshow reputation and hope for a better early result. — 4 months ago

Patrick Parham

8.9

North of my typical price point, this was quite expressive for a cab. Robust fruit flavor, yet smooth. Other bottles suit my palate better. — 6 months ago

Stephen Fitzpatrick

9.1

Smooth and rich Napa Cab, heavy notes of fruit and licorice on the initial taste, floral and spice on the nose, decent finish; not chewy like some Napa cabs. Paired well with spicy penne pasta. — 7 months ago