Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
Curiosity finally got the best of me as it was a buddy’s birthday and he wanted to try this 2007. I think this received a three digit score, so whether points matter to you or not, it’s fun to try and get a data point.
Tried a glass right at pop, then drank from the decanter over the next 4-5hrs.
This was quite the rollercoaster. It was big and bruising the first hour, then blossomed in to an extremely smooth and balanced Bordeaux style blend. Dark red and black berry fruits, violets, mocha, dark chocolate and pipe tobacco all dominate the rich mid-palate. It seemed to somewhat shut down after 3+hrs, so either pop and enjoy or hold another three years for this drinking window.
Curiosity finally got the best of me as it was a buddy’s birthday and he wanted to try this 2007. I think this received a three digit score, so whether points matter to you or not, it’s fun to try and get a data point.
Tried a glass right at pop, then drank from the decanter over the next 4-5hrs.
This was quite the rollercoaster. It was big and bruising the first hour, then blossomed in to an extremely smooth and balanced Bordeaux style blend. Dark red and black berry fruits, violets, mocha, dark chocolate and pipe tobacco all dominate the rich mid-palate. It seemed to somewhat shut down after 3+hrs, so either pop and enjoy or hold another three years for this drinking window.
Dark purple color, opaque and heavy in the glass with a warm, inviting nose. Notes of mocha and unsweetened chocolate, black cherries and blueberries, some soil and some warm pie fruit. Fruit forward and silky in the mouth. Seductive. Well balanced. Has lot of everything going on, big and bold.
Dark purple color, opaque and heavy in the glass with a warm, inviting nose. Notes of mocha and unsweetened chocolate, black cherries and blueberries, some soil and some warm pie fruit. Fruit forward and silky in the mouth. Seductive. Well balanced. Has lot of everything going on, big and bold.
Oct 31st, 2021
It never completely opened but throughly enjoyed @Bill Bender
It never completely opened but throughly enjoyed @Bill Bender
Jul 19th, 2021
Absolute perfection! Firm, intense and concentrated, massive yet well-proportioned, with a dense, focused core of graphite, dried currant, blackberry, black tea, forest floor and blueberry flavors. Full-blown, finishing with rich, layered tannins that beg for cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
Absolute perfection! Firm, intense and concentrated, massive yet well-proportioned, with a dense, focused core of graphite, dried currant, blackberry, black tea, forest floor and blueberry flavors. Full-blown, finishing with rich, layered tannins that beg for cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
Mar 7th, 2021
Incredible vintage of Insignia. I almost never drink big Napa wines, but this is one I just find impossible not to love.
Incredible vintage of Insignia. I almost never drink big Napa wines, but this is one I just find impossible not to love.
Oct 18th, 2018
On the nose; the fruits are brambly wild dark berries. Warm soils, dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries & boysenberries, baking spices, quince jelly and fresh dark floral bouquet. The body is full and luxurious. Ripe fruits that have a slight baked quality. Dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, strawberries, dry cranberries and boysenberries. Vanilla, clove, crushed dry rocks, leather, saddlewood, tobacco with ash, dry brush, cola, graphite, touch of light dry herbs, decent acidity and a dry tannin finish that is evenly balanced fruit & earth. Still needs a lot more time in the bottle.
On the nose; the fruits are brambly wild dark berries. Warm soils, dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries & boysenberries, baking spices, quince jelly and fresh dark floral bouquet. The body is full and luxurious. Ripe fruits that have a slight baked quality. Dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, strawberries, dry cranberries and boysenberries. Vanilla, clove, crushed dry rocks, leather, saddlewood, tobacco with ash, dry brush, cola, graphite, touch of light dry herbs, decent acidity and a dry tannin finish that is evenly balanced fruit & earth. Still needs a lot more time in the bottle.
Sep 9th, 2017Time to taste the 2015 still in barrel. On the nose, it's deep dark cassis with lots of baking spices, spice and dark, fresh floral bouquet. The body is full and ripe. Rich & ripe; blackberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, cream black raspberries, caramel, milk chocolate and lots of baking spices. Tobacco, some graphite, violets, dark florals, crushed dry rocks, gritty volcanic minerals, anise, dark, soft spice, whiff of pepper, good round acidity and a well polished fruity dry tannin finish. It's will develop nicely in 15 plus years.
Time to taste the 2015 still in barrel. On the nose, it's deep dark cassis with lots of baking spices, spice and dark, fresh floral bouquet. The body is full and ripe. Rich & ripe; blackberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, cream black raspberries, caramel, milk chocolate and lots of baking spices. Tobacco, some graphite, violets, dark florals, crushed dry rocks, gritty volcanic minerals, anise, dark, soft spice, whiff of pepper, good round acidity and a well polished fruity dry tannin finish. It's will develop nicely in 15 plus years.
1 person found it helpfulSep 9th, 2017
Impressive wine! Decanted it for 30 min. Checked it at opening again at 30 min but it opened up around 50 min. Full and complex with strong black fruit, cocoa, and oak spice. This is still a baby in terms of maturity. As always Insignia delivers as true as a Bordeaux first growth would, which was their model from inception.
Impressive wine! Decanted it for 30 min. Checked it at opening again at 30 min but it opened up around 50 min. Full and complex with strong black fruit, cocoa, and oak spice. This is still a baby in terms of maturity. As always Insignia delivers as true as a Bordeaux first growth would, which was their model from inception.
1 person found it helpfulSep 6th, 2015