Joseph Phelps - Insignia - Napa Valley 2019

matthewjukes.com

19 / 20

par Matthew Jukes le 14/09/2022

I wrote ‘Bentley Turbo’ in my notes. I mean that this is a potent wine, but it lacks nothing in its design or elegance. Big and beautiful – so if you are up for a fuller framed, richly oaky wine, this is about as delicious as it gets.

Anthocyanes

94 / 100

par Yohan Castaing le 09/09/2022

Nez d'épices, de tabac frais, de fruits noirs très murs avec une pointe florale. Juteuse et savoureuse, la bouche est dense et tannique, profonde et imposante, pour un ensemble qui devra vieillir tout en s'harmonisant. Une très belle bouteille en devenir. 93 % de cabernet-sauvignon, 5 % de petit verdot et 2 % de malbec.

The Wine Independent

97 / 100

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 24/08/2022

A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec, the 2019 Insignia is deep garnet-purple colored. It needs a shake or two before the glass combusts with atomic scents of creme de cassis, blueberry preserves, and stewed black cherries, followed by subtle suggestions of cedar chest, pencil lead, iron ore, and crushed rocks, plus a waft of cloves. Full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, the palate delivers compelling poise led by firm, fine-grained tannins and a lively line of freshness, finishing with epic length.

Jamessuckling.com

98 / 100

par James Suckling le 23/07/2022

A very aromatic Insignia with pencil-shaving and graphite highlights to the dark fruit and blackberries. Full-bodied, yet tensioned and vertical, with very fine tannins that run deep and layered in the wine. Needs time to come together, but fantastic tension and structure.

Jane Anson

97 / 100

par Jane Anson le 02/06/2022

The classic Joseph Phelps bottling, released this year after three years of ageing in barrel and bottle. Espresso, cocoa bean, cassis, earth, crushed rock, leather, finely sculpted tannins in this most balanced of Napa vintages. The 2019 Insignia marks the first vintage to include fruit from the new Joseph Phelps vineyard named El Venadito, located in the Oak Knoll District, just south of the winery’s Yountville Vineyard. Owned by LVMH at time of release, but made under the former owners.

Vinous

94-97 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 07/01/2022

Tasted from barrel, the 2019 Insignia is a mere infant. Swaths of tannin wrap around a core of dark fruit. The 2019 is a brooding, potent Insignia that is going to need time to come around.

Wine Advocate

96-98 / 100

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 26/03/2021

The 2019 Insignia is composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec. The vineyard sources this year include: 32% Yountville (Oak Knoll District), 23% Banca Dorada (Rutherford), 14% Suscol (South Napa Valley), 14% Home Ranch (St. Helena), 12% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District), 3% Barboza (Stags Leap District) and 2% El Venadito (Oak Knoll District). The wine is aging for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little swirling to unlock a gorgeous perfume of black cherry compote, stewed plums and blackcurrant pastilles with hints of bay leaves, red roses, underbrush and pencil lead plus a hint of menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers impactful black fruit preserves layers with finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and layered. (Tasted as a barrel sample.)

Jeb DUNNUCK

96-98 / 100

par Jeb Dunnuck le 27/01/2021

Much more expressive and complex compared to the backward, masculine Backus Vineyard (which is common when comparing these two cuvées), the 2019 Insignia offers a gorgeous perfume of crème de cassis, chocolate, lavender, dried flowers, tobacco, and leafy herbs. Possessing full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless texture, gorgeous tannins, and just a classy, balanced character, this beauty is going to shine with just 3-4 years of bottle age yet still cruise in cold cellars for 30 years. It actually reminds me slightly of the 1997.