Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

9.4180 ratings
9.230 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Pungent Cheese, Salami & Prosciutto, Hard Cheese, Baking Spices, Exotic Spices, Chicken, Herbs, Turkey, Onion, Soft Cheese, Duck, Beans & Peas
Top Notes For
Jay Eagan

WS#1 wie sof the world still drinking great needs no more time in bottle 

WS#1 wie sof the world still drinking great needs no more time in bottle 

Dec 29th, 2022
Mark Pagliaro

Winemaker Stone & Key Cellars

9.7

This 2008 Insignia chosen to celebrate a Retirement after 39.5 years. Beautiful aromas of rich earth, blown dust and black fruit. The palate is is rich with blueberry, black current, vanilla, and subtle tannins adding to a long and elegant finish.

This 2008 Insignia chosen to celebrate a Retirement after 39.5 years. Beautiful aromas of rich earth, blown dust and black fruit. The palate is is rich with blueberry, black current, vanilla, and subtle tannins adding to a long and elegant finish.

Jun 11th, 2021
Jay Eagan

What a terrific cab! Still a dark brooding young wine (at 17)! Wonderfully long finish and still excellent grip. During this confinement at least the Jonathan Club prepared prime rib dinners for grab&go! We are so appreciative of everyone efforts especially the JC & Phelps!

What a terrific cab! Still a dark brooding young wine (at 17)! Wonderfully long finish and still excellent grip. During this confinement at least the Jonathan Club prepared prime rib dinners for grab&go! We are so appreciative of everyone efforts especially the JC & Phelps!

Mar 30th, 2020
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.

The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.

Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.

The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.

Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in.

Been awhile since I pulled out an Insigna.

The 03 Pichon Lalande is the better wine and steak pairing. However, Napa Cabernet is the choice to finish steak and enjoy on its own after. You never want to do Napa before Bordeaux IMHO. It’s much harder to adjust from sweeter to something more earthy.

Enjoyed the 05 as my score reflects. I don’t remember it being as sweet as it was in previous tastings. Still quite good. It just tipped my sweet scale a little too much.

The body is, rich, lush & round. It’s achieved good evolution after 13 years in bottle and will continue to improve over the next 6-8 years and last another 15 years. As I mentioned, the fruit was ripe & sweet. Blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, plums, hints of blueberries and strawberries haunting the backend. Rich, dark earth, Rutherford dusty tannins and dry soils, purple cola, touch of fresh tobacco & graphite, light baking spices of; cinnamon, dash of clove, nutmeg and vanillin, anise to black licorice, saddle-wood, used leather, dry stems, some dry, crushed rocks/limestone with red, dark, purple and blue florals. The acidity round and nicely executed. The finish was similar wire to wire. It’s, lush, rich, elegant, touch too sweet, polished, well balanced & knitted with a soft, persistent, dark spice on the long set. Very enjoyable second bottle.

Photos of; Joseph Phelps Winery & sloping estate vines, inside lounge are with views of the back side, tasting terrace and front lobby/salon area upon entering past check in.

1 person found it helpfulJul 12th, 2020
Sean Harris

The BEST

The BEST

1 person found it helpfulApr 4th, 2013
jesus g

Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards

9.6

15

15

Dec 15th, 2016
Meghan Hamilton

Wine Educator Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.5

One of my favorite Insignia vintages and a great time to drink it. Blackberry, plum, caramel, graphite, chocolate, and smooth finish. Biased review :)

One of my favorite Insignia vintages and a great time to drink it. Blackberry, plum, caramel, graphite, chocolate, and smooth finish. Biased review :)

Sep 26th, 2016
Mitzi Inglis

Marketing/Public Relations, Joseph Phelps Vineyards

9.3

Gourmet Century wines #chriskingbuzz #josephphelps #insignia biased review

Gourmet Century wines #chriskingbuzz #josephphelps #insignia biased review

Oct 25th, 2015
Marty Winters

Bright acidity from a cool vintage with dark red and black fruit.

Bright acidity from a cool vintage with dark red and black fruit.

Oct 20th, 2015
Andrew S

Evolved in the glass considerably over three hours! Took 30 min to leave tight tannins into a beautiful blueberry, cassis, and blackberry with luscious, velvety tannins and subtle eucalyptus and cedar. Was delicious! 2 hours later, went to raisins, prunes and alcohol.

Evolved in the glass considerably over three hours! Took 30 min to leave tight tannins into a beautiful blueberry, cassis, and blackberry with luscious, velvety tannins and subtle eucalyptus and cedar. Was delicious! 2 hours later, went to raisins, prunes and alcohol.

Oct 19th, 2015