Winemaker Notes
Deep crimson in hue, the 2022 Insignia boasts aromas of dark berry compote and allspice, juxtaposed by a distinct brightness. Rich cocoa and freshly roasted espresso notes create depth, while herbes de Provence and cured tobacco leaf add terroir-driven complexity. The palate displays cardamom and nutmeg, complementing its fruit-forward character. Firm yet refined tannins support a contemplative finish with warm and savory layers that linger. The wine demonstrates exceptional balance, offering both immediate enjoyment and aging potential.
Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Deeply brooding, refined aromas of blackcurrants, bitter chocolate, blood plums, dark cherries, cedar and coffee beans. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and bright acidity that lead into a structured yet silky-smooth and savory finish. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 4% petit verdot, 2% malbec and 2% cabernet franc. Great to drink young, or will reward after time in bottle.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
There are 10,400 cases of the impressive 2022 Insignia, a wine that has been entirely estate-grown since 2004. In a vintage impacted by an extended Labor Day heat wave, nearly two-thirds of the production came from the more shaded west side of Napa Valley, with harvest extending from September 7 through October 5. Scents of new suede, baking spices, loam and ripe cherries mingle easily on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, expansive and velvety, becoming just a little bit more open-knit on the lengthy finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Based on 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 1% Cabernet Franc and aged 24 months in 100% new French oak, the 2022 Insignia offers ripe red and black fruits, smoky tobacco, chocolate, and Asian spice notes. It's a plush, full-bodied, round, layered Cabernet with sweet, ripe, present tannins, solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It brings beautiful mid-palate density, a sound, layered, balanced structure, and a great finish.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned winery committed to crafting world class, estate-grown wines. Founded in 1973 when Joe Phelps purchased a former cattle ranch near St. Helena in the Napa Valley, the winery now controls and farms nearly 375 acres of vines on eight estate vineyards in St. Helena, the Stags Leap District, Oakville, Rutherford, Oak Knoll District, Carneros and South Napa Valley. In 1999, the Phelps family added 100 acres of vineyard property near the town of Freestone on the Sonoma Coast, where Phelps now grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Phelps is best known for its flagship Napa Valley blend of red Bordeaux varietals, Insignia, first produced in 1974. Awarded Wine Spectator's "Wine of the Year" in 2005, Insignia is widely regarded as a qualitative benchmark for California winemaking.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.