Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), CA Cabernet Pre-2000; 20 April 2023 at Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY
Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), CA Cabernet Pre-2000; 20 April 2023 at Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY
Apr 21st, 2023
Insignia. WNH virtual tasting . The tasting included 95,96,00,01,02,09,13,14. Last 95 I enjoyed was in May of 2019 along side the 1982. Both I vividly remember fondly.
90% CB 7% Merlot 3% PV.
One thing all the wines had in common. The color was deep garnet - purple . 95’ showed Bit of sediment. NO signs of bricking, absolutely incredible. There was no way you could tell this wine was 25 years young.
The nose comes off as left bank/Barolo. (earthy, violets)
Palate- Light signs of red currant, red & black plums, orange rind, black olives, floral notes, good acidity, grainy tannins. Long & lingering finish.
Opened it 45 minutes prior to tasting. Enjoyed it over the next 2 1/2 hours. Must say the last glass was better than the first...wife & I split the bottle and agreed.
Insignia. WNH virtual tasting . The tasting included 95,96,00,01,02,09,13,14. Last 95 I enjoyed was in May of 2019 along side the 1982. Both I vividly remember fondly.
90% CB 7% Merlot 3% PV.
One thing all the wines had in common. The color was deep garnet - purple . 95’ showed Bit of sediment. NO signs of bricking, absolutely incredible. There was no way you could tell this wine was 25 years young.
The nose comes off as left bank/Barolo. (earthy, violets)
Palate- Light signs of red currant, red & black plums, orange rind, black olives, floral notes, good acidity, grainy tannins. Long & lingering finish.
Opened it 45 minutes prior to tasting. Enjoyed it over the next 2 1/2 hours. Must say the last glass was better than the first...wife & I split the bottle and agreed.
The last great and classic vintage from Phelps!
The last great and classic vintage from Phelps!
Jul 28th, 2019
Saturday theme was pre 97 California and it was a super solid showing for all the wines. Insignia always delivers and this contribution from @Joe Lucca was no different. Not much nose. Slight bricking in the glass. Garnet hues. Bright raspberry fruit joins truffle and bramble funk. Slight hollowness in the mid palate. Finish is smooth but not full. Tannins are fully resolved. Really nice representation of the house and vintage. Drink now.
Saturday theme was pre 97 California and it was a super solid showing for all the wines. Insignia always delivers and this contribution from @Joe Lucca was no different. Not much nose. Slight bricking in the glass. Garnet hues. Bright raspberry fruit joins truffle and bramble funk. Slight hollowness in the mid palate. Finish is smooth but not full. Tannins are fully resolved. Really nice representation of the house and vintage. Drink now.
May 19th, 2019Wow serious bottle that tastes like it’s only 10 years old . This will go another 10 to 30 years one of the last great old school vintages from Phelps !
Wow serious bottle that tastes like it’s only 10 years old . This will go another 10 to 30 years one of the last great old school vintages from Phelps !
Mar 27th, 2018
Flashback 20+ years ago to the Wine Library in New Jersey. Walking with my 14-year-old niece she was drawn to a double magnum sitting in the corner of the cold room. She exclaimed, “ Uncle Ira , that is the biggest bottle of wine I have ever seen.” Excited by her enthusiasm I told her I would buy it and we would drink it at her wedding. That opportunity presented itself this weekend. I decided this was best consumed at the rehearsal dinner. As one would expect the bottle drew its share of oohs & aahs. The cork was pristine. I should have decanted as the bottle had a ton of sediment. On the nose; earth, hints of leather, and tobacco. In the mouth a textbook example of an aged California Bordeaux blend. Concentrated flavors of red and dark fruit, herbs, vanilla, and graphite flow into a stunning finish that still has a tannic structure. An elegant and seamless wine that has years of life remaining . I have been fortunate to taste wines that could bring you to tears. This bottle brought me to tears before a drop of wine touched my lips
Flashback 20+ years ago to the Wine Library in New Jersey. Walking with my 14-year-old niece she was drawn to a double magnum sitting in the corner of the cold room. She exclaimed, “ Uncle Ira , that is the biggest bottle of wine I have ever seen.” Excited by her enthusiasm I told her I would buy it and we would drink it at her wedding. That opportunity presented itself this weekend. I decided this was best consumed at the rehearsal dinner. As one would expect the bottle drew its share of oohs & aahs. The cork was pristine. I should have decanted as the bottle had a ton of sediment. On the nose; earth, hints of leather, and tobacco. In the mouth a textbook example of an aged California Bordeaux blend. Concentrated flavors of red and dark fruit, herbs, vanilla, and graphite flow into a stunning finish that still has a tannic structure. An elegant and seamless wine that has years of life remaining . I have been fortunate to taste wines that could bring you to tears. This bottle brought me to tears before a drop of wine touched my lips
1 person found it helpfulJan 16th, 2020
Magnum 1995 Joseph Phelps Insignia cab. Was part of the lineup of magnums we enjoyed at our group dinner at 2B/1S. This was the second cab we poured, after the '95 Special Selection and before the '95 Harlan. This wine definitely had more fruit, body, and structure than the SS. Remarks were unanimous that it showed a lot younger than the SS and prob had quite a bit more time left on it. This was A's fave, but placed 2nd for everyone else. Great wine and really enjoyed it.
Magnum 1995 Joseph Phelps Insignia cab. Was part of the lineup of magnums we enjoyed at our group dinner at 2B/1S. This was the second cab we poured, after the '95 Special Selection and before the '95 Harlan. This wine definitely had more fruit, body, and structure than the SS. Remarks were unanimous that it showed a lot younger than the SS and prob had quite a bit more time left on it. This was A's fave, but placed 2nd for everyone else. Great wine and really enjoyed it.
1 person found it helpfulJul 5th, 2016Very, very dark in the glass, loamy, notes of cassis, mocha, blue fruits. Outstanding.
Very, very dark in the glass, loamy, notes of cassis, mocha, blue fruits. Outstanding.
1 person found it helpfulMar 22nd, 2015