Joseph Phelps Insignia 2018

The 2018 Insignia is a fabulous showing in this vintage. Composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec, which all spent 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. It begins with a complex aromatic profile of ripe black currants, blackberries as well as blueberries that are joined by violets, graphite, mocha, mint, cigar box, herbs and gravel nuances that all take shape. This continues to impress with its gorgeous full-bodied texture that is structured with beautifully polished tannins resulting in a lovely finessed mouthfeel as it works its way across the palate. It goes on to display outstanding overall balance and concentration, as layers of ripe dark fruits, mocha and spices continue to build up to the long supple finish. The 2018 is already extremely impressive, however this wine clearly has the potential, and track record to age marvelously for decades. (JD)

The 2018 Insignia checks in as 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and the rest Cabernet Franc, from a mix of vineyards (mostly in the southern part of the valley) aged two years in new French oak. It has an incredible bouquet of cassis, currants, dark chocolate, lead pencil, and tobacco, and while it's unquestionably Napa, it has a regal, structured, almost Bordeaux-like vibe as well. Full-bodied, perfectly balanced, and layered on the palate, with silky tannins, this quintessential Insignia is up with the finest vintages of this cuvée I've tasted and is in the same realm as the 1997 (the first vintage I bought for my personal cellar), 2001, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016.

This impressive blend combines 87% Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc, aging the whole for 24 months in 100% new French oak. Elements of cedar, sage, dried herb and underbrush meet rich red fruit and chalky tannins, with a dusting of cocoa throughout. *Cellar Selection* (VB)