2010 Joseph Phelps Insignia
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Tasting notes
Saturated medium ruby to the rim. Musky aromas of currant, tobacco, licorice, dark chocolate, graphite and herbs; an essence of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Utterly plush and thick yet bright on entry, then superconcentrated and seamless in the middle palate, with captivating sweetness leavened by graphite minerality. Really incredible silky grain and palate-staining, gripping length here, with the serious but utterly smooth, perfectly buffered broad tannins extending the fruit. Offers great thickness and density without excess weight, not to mention superb balance and class. A great vintage for Insignia, and destined for a long life in bottle.. Very long, gripping finish. This has opened since I last tasted it in 2016 and is a spectacular drink today. If anything, its outstanding definition and structure became even more apparent with 72 hours in the recorked bottle. (ST)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
(a growing season with a late bloom and late veraison but more consistent temperatures than either 2009 or 2011): Bright, dark ruby. Very young, brilliantly pure aromas of dark fruits and strong minerality. Then wonderfully juicy but youthfully imploded, conveying an impression of weightlessness to its penetrating flavors of cassis, blackberry, minerals, dark chocolate and flowers. Savory, sappy, rather masculine wine with terrific precision and energy but still folded in on itself today. Finishes suave, vibrant and very long, with sophisticated fine-grained tannins in perfect harmony with the wine's fruit. Very little Suscol fruit went into the blend as it was too green, according to Hepworth.
A gorgeously intense bouquet of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, black currants, blackberries, and subtle smoke and foresty aromas jumps from the glass of this full-bodied, rich, concentrated wine with soft tannins, a multidimensional mouthfeel, and a long, rich finish displaying well-integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood. This beauty is one of the top Insignias produced over recent years. It should age easily for 20+ years. The stunning 2010 Insignia, which is now in bottle, was made from 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and the rest Merlot and Malbec, 11,060 cases were produced, and it achieved 14.9% natural alcohol. All of the fruit came from estate vineyards.
The 2010 Insignia has totally closed down in bottle. Dark plums, graphite, pencil shavings, smoke and licorice all jump from the glass, but today the 2010 is in no mood to show all of its personality. Today the Petit Verdot seems especially pronounced. The tannins are sweet, layered and impeccably balanced, which makes me think the 2010 will enjoy a long drinking window once it softens. The 2010 is a beautiful, silky Insignia, but it needs time. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 2% Malbec.
About the producer
California winery Joseph Phelps is best known for its flagship Insignia cuvée, one of the first and finest proprietary red wines in the Napa Valley.