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Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a renowned Napa Valley winery, founded in 1973 by Joseph Phelps. The 2001 Insignia is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. The wine showcases a dense, inky colour and offers rich aromas of blackberry, cassis and mocha, along with notes of cedar, graphite and tobacco. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with opulent fruit flavours, velvety tannins, and well-integrated oak, all balanced by a bright acidity. The finish is long and lingering, showcasing the wine`s complexity and aging potential.
The 2001 Insignia is in a gorgeous spot today. Sweet tobacco, mint, dried herbs, licorice and incense are the signatures of a wine that has reached its plateau of maturity. Even so, the 2001 shows no signs of fading. This is the first vintage made without Merlot. At the time, most of the fruit was from estate vineyards in Rutherford, Stags Leap and St. Helena. (Insignia became a pure estate wine with the 2004 vintage.) The only issue with the 2001 is that it feels a bit compact, perhaps because it was filtered. I expect the 2001 will slowly fade over the next decade.Antonio Galloni1st April 2023
17Jancis Robinson
First vintage with no Merlot. Bright crimson with blackish hints. Lively top notes with real refreshment. I`d have guessed more Cab Franc from the nose. But then lots of sweetness on the palate. And a certain tarriness of texture. Still a little chewy and bitter. I wouldn`t choose to drink this yet! (JR)
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Joseph Phelps
Innovation and Quality in Napa
Founded in 1973, Joseph Phelps Vineyards is family-owned winery celebrated for its commitment to crafting world-class, estate grown wines from Napa Valley and the Sonoma Coast. Joe Phelps was a building contractor from Colorado who began investing in Napa Valley vineyards in the early 1970s, producing the first vintage of his now-famous "Insignia" in 1974 - one of the first super premium Bordeaux blends from Napa.
The current winemaker is Ashley Hepworth, who initially joined Joseph Phelps in 1999 as an intern. Alongside Insignia, Ashley and the team also make a number of varietal wines with the Freestone Vineyards Chardonnay being a notable high point.