Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Red Wine
Napa Valley, California, USA
A friend had a “reduction party” as he was needing to thin out his cellar. Definitely a party I’m happy to attend!
Had the 2012 Odette Reserve or 2012 Bryant Family not been on the table, this may have won the night. Whereas the other two were drinking deliciously, this displayed more youthful notes than I expected. The fruit here was really bright...candied black cherries, fresh blueberries and blackberries, baking spices, toasted oak, and savory charcoal. Nicely compact on the palate...bing cherries dusted in dark chocolate shavings, Black Forest cake, sandalwood, and smoked meat. If opening now, decant for a few hours.
A friend had a “reduction party” as he was needing to thin out his cellar. Definitely a party I’m happy to attend!
Had the 2012 Odette Reserve or 2012 Bryant Family not been on the table, this may have won the night. Whereas the other two were drinking deliciously, this displayed more youthful notes than I expected. The fruit here was really bright...candied black cherries, fresh blueberries and blackberries, baking spices, toasted oak, and savory charcoal. Nicely compact on the palate...bing cherries dusted in dark chocolate shavings, Black Forest cake, sandalwood, and smoked meat. If opening now, decant for a few hours.
Deep ruby red. Dark nose with cocoa, cinnamon, a bit herbal, cassis, light graphite and smoke. Medium plus tannins (7/10) and well integrated with a medium plus body. Really grips the back and sides of your mouth, even with two days being open. Layered flavors of smokiness, black currants, bramble, wood and black cherries. Long finish. Drink till 2030.
Deep ruby red. Dark nose with cocoa, cinnamon, a bit herbal, cassis, light graphite and smoke. Medium plus tannins (7/10) and well integrated with a medium plus body. Really grips the back and sides of your mouth, even with two days being open. Layered flavors of smokiness, black currants, bramble, wood and black cherries. Long finish. Drink till 2030.
Jan 2nd, 2019
Black cherry, violet, mocha, baking spices, and cedar. Sweet tobacco and licorice. M- acid, m+ firm tannin. Black plum, cassis, dust, and graphite. A bit tight. Needs a little time.
Black cherry, violet, mocha, baking spices, and cedar. Sweet tobacco and licorice. M- acid, m+ firm tannin. Black plum, cassis, dust, and graphite. A bit tight. Needs a little time.
2 people found it helpfulFeb 24th, 2016I am predisposed not to like this style of wine, but I grudgingly admit I enjoyed this bottle that shouldn't have been opened for another decade. The color was inky dark as expected. The nose was of cassis, blackberry and mint. Surprisingly I got no notes of overblown oak. On the palate the wine was rich and ripe with loads of cassis primarily with hints of chocolate and espresso. The posh velvety fruit would have been sickening except for that it was balanced by excellent acidity. I could have used a bit more tannic structure. In general, I prefer other styles, but for what this is, it is a very good example. I'm surprised to have liked it.
I am predisposed not to like this style of wine, but I grudgingly admit I enjoyed this bottle that shouldn't have been opened for another decade. The color was inky dark as expected. The nose was of cassis, blackberry and mint. Surprisingly I got no notes of overblown oak. On the palate the wine was rich and ripe with loads of cassis primarily with hints of chocolate and espresso. The posh velvety fruit would have been sickening except for that it was balanced by excellent acidity. I could have used a bit more tannic structure. In general, I prefer other styles, but for what this is, it is a very good example. I'm surprised to have liked it.
1 person found it helpfulDec 8th, 20142010 Joseph Phelps red wine. slight hints of green peppers. A big bold nose that says "I am a mighty wine". Such a huge body at the tip of the tongue, smooth over mid palate with a spicy finish. This is truly a meat wine with a slightly tannic crescendo.
2010 Joseph Phelps red wine. slight hints of green peppers. A big bold nose that says "I am a mighty wine". Such a huge body at the tip of the tongue, smooth over mid palate with a spicy finish. This is truly a meat wine with a slightly tannic crescendo.
Apr 16th, 2017
Decanted 8 hours and it is showing truly, truly well right now. Dark fruits.,soft tannins.
incredible showing with absolute incredible friends.
Decanted 8 hours and it is showing truly, truly well right now. Dark fruits.,soft tannins.
incredible showing with absolute incredible friends.
Big wine, bold Cab, smooth, plenty of fruit. Truly delicious.
Big wine, bold Cab, smooth, plenty of fruit. Truly delicious.
Mar 29th, 2015