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Joseph Phelps, Vineyard
Acreage
375 acres
Micro-Climate
Humid; ventilation provided by cooling breezes at night as their vineyard is situated on a wide open knoll, 75' above sea level which is one of the highest points in the area.
Soil-Type
Mattapeake Silt Loam 2-5% Slope; Water Table > 6 ft.
Planted
Vidal Blanc 2010, Barbera 2010/2012, Chardonnay 2012, Sauvignon Blanc 2015/2016, Malbec 2016, Merlot 2012, Pinot Gris 2015, Cab Franc 2015.
Protocol
Sustainable farming practices; natural, minimal intervention vineyard management.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned Napa Valley winery that was founded in 1973 by Joe Phelps. The produce Bordeaux varietal wines and Chardonnay from nearly 375 acres of vines in St. Helena, Stags Leap District, Oakville, Rutherford, Oak Knoll District, South Napa Valley and Carneros. Phelps is best known for its flagship blend of red Bordeaux varietals, Insignia, which was first produced in 1974..
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Located on what was once a cattle ranch on the rolling hills of the eastern slopes in Napa Valley, the winery has almost 375 acres planted that sit among mustards, poppies, daisies, soaring blue oak trees, and other native species that provide a habitat for birds and a host of beneficial insects. Winemakers manage their vineyards to cultivate particular characteristics in their wine, including flavors and aromas unique to their soils and climate, this is sometimes known as “terroir.” At Joseph Phelps this is not about large yields. It’s about creating site specific conditions in the soil, and keeping the vines just so, in order to produce the particular grape quality. “Too much moisture, and you can get fungus. Grape vines want a low nutrient condition and not too much moisture at the surface so the roots can get deep. You don’t want to coddle these plants, you have to stress them a bit in order to get the vines to produce a grape that is suitable to wine-making.”
From the vineyards patio, you can see the vineyards of Screaming Eagle and Rudd Estate just below. Large blue oak trees on the property provide excellent habitat for a variety of birds that feed on insects, as well as larger birds or raptors that feed on rodents and moles. There are also bats that feed on insects. Pest management is accomplished with beneficial insects. The insects are introduced by planting a mix of wild mustard, Queen Anne’s lace, and other companion plants. These plants attract beneficial insects that eat pests, including mites, mealy bugs, and aphids. The plants are placed along vine rows, avenues, field edges, and along the road edges. In 2009 the European grapevine moth (EGM) became a problem pest in the region. The winery set up EGM traps and several moths were found. In addition to an increase in the number of traps, they used pheromone dispersers in strategic locations, designed to interrupt the mating cycles of the moths and, in the process, they were able to eradicate the moth population.
Their flagship wine, Insignia, was selected as wine of the year by Wine Spectator magazine in 2005 and, in part, is evidence that sustainable agriculture practices work well and contribute to the production of world-class wines.
Joseph Phelps History, and Wine Making
Joseph Phelps Vineyards was born when Joseph Phelps moved to California from Colorado where he earned his fortune as a contractor. This gave him the ability to turn the 600 acre Connolly cattle ranch he purchased in 1973 into a working vineyard. That ranch is what we know of today as Joseph Phelps Vineyards. He finished construction on the Joseph Phelps Vineyards winery the following year. 1974 also saw the debut vintage for Phelps Insignia, interestingly that wine was kept in barrels and not bottled until 1978. Joseph Phelps died in 2015 at the age of 87.
His first entry into making wine in the Napa Valley started with the old Souverain winery. Souverain is known today as the Rutherford Hill winery. He then continued under the Souverain banner, but this time in Sonoma. This meant that Joseph Phelps also deserves credit for being one of the first growers to produce vineyard designated wines. Today the vines of Joseph Phelps Vineyards are planted in a myriad of different areas including Stags Leap, Rutherford, Spring Valley Ranch, Los Rocas, Barbiza, Backus, Banca Dorada, Yountville, Carneros and Suscol.
In 1974, he was already producing wine from grapes planted in the famous Eisele vineyard. His most famous wine, Insignia was born that same year. In fact, fruit from the Eisele vineyard formed the backbone for his original Joseph Phelps Insignia. Joseph Phelps Insignia remains the companies best wine and its namesake. Phelps Insignia remains one of the most popular wines in all of California, due to its great style and ability to age and continue to develop for decades after botteling. In fact, as of 2015, vintages from the 1970’s are still showing well today.
At Joseph Phelps Vineyards, they believe in and practice organic, natural, sustainable farming techniques. They proudly embrace biodynamic farming when possible. During the early years for the production of Phelps Insignia, the wine was vinified and aged in large, traditional, wood tanks. Today, the wine is now aged in 100% new, French oak barrels for up to 24 months.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards produces a myriad of wines from a variety of grapes; Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Eisrebe, a sweet wine. While much of the wine produced by Joseph Phelps comes from estate grown grapes, that is not always the case. Joseph Phelps Syrah is possibly their only wine that is made from exclusively purchased fruit. The Pinot Noir is produced from vines purchased and planted in 1999.
This proprietary Insignia blend remains the envy of many California winemakers. Like the top Bordeaux chateau, they are able to produce high quality wines on a consistent basis, even with such a massive volume of wine. In some vintages close to 18,000 cases of are produced of Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia! On average, the production of Phepls Insignia is closer to 15,000 cases of wine. Following Insignia on the quality is the Joseph Phelps Vineyards Backus Vineyards wine. It’s produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines planted on the steep hillside slopes located in the Oakville Corridor.
Serving and Decanting Joseph Phelps wines with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips
Joseph Phelps Vineyards are best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Young vintages of their red wine can be decanted for 1-3 hours, depending on the character of the vintage. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.
The red wine of Joseph Phelps Vineyards is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, ribs, hamburgers, barbecue, roasted, braised, grilled dishes and stews. Joseph Phelps Vineyards is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.
The white wine of Joseph Phelps Vineyards is best served with all types of seafood and shellfish, sushi, sashimi, chicken, veal, pork and cheese.
The white wine of Joseph Phelps Vineyards is best served with all types of seafood and shellfish, sushi, sashimi, chicken, veal, pork and cheese.
Noteable Vintage and Varietals History (The wine, a description, and the Wine Spectator rating)
2016 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 97Elegant, silky, forward, fresh, clean and pure, the wine exudes class and an open character. Full-bodied, deep, but not overpowering, the texture is lush, soft and polished. Made from a blend of all 5 Bordeaux varietals, 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and, 3% Malbec, even though the wine was aged in 100% new, French oak, most of the wood has already fully integrated into the wine. 97 Points
2016 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (Napa Valley) 92Forward, soft, lush, medium-bodied, juicy and fresh, with a nice spicy component to the ripe, red fruits, you can enjoy this young, due to its ripe tannins and open approach. 92 Points
2016 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Freestone Vineyards (Sonoma Coast) 91Good freshness, ripe, lemons and apples with a touch of vanilla and yellow citrus fruits. A nice, pleasant charmer. 91 Points
2015 Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards (Sonoma Coast) 92Spicy, sweet fruits, soft, lush textures and a rich, forward, red berry finish are found here. 92 Points
2014 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96Layer after layer of ripe, fat, sweet, delicious, black fruits with licorice, smoke, black cherry and earthy accents. There is depth, weight and length with sensuous textures. 96 Points
2014 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 92Very solid wine here. Plush, polished textures, ripe, black and red fruits and a blast of licorice and smoke in the endnote. You can drink this now, or cellar it for more complexity. 92 Points
2013 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Pastorale Vineyard (Sonoma Coast) 91A bit oaky, but more than enough of the ripe, sweet, fresh, apple, pear, citrus peel and tropical fruit shine through the vanilla underpinnings to make the wine interesting and fun to taste. This is ready to go. 91 Points
2012 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96Deep in color, with good intensity, concentration of raw materials, delicious, sweet, ripe fruits, dark chocolate and a supple forward character, what's not to like? Insignia has to be a contender for the most consistent, high quality wine in the Napa Valley over the past 3 decades or so, and the 2012 is not going to break that streak. Full bodied, rich, concentrated deep and velvety, the wine is packed with ripe, fresh, sweet, black and blue fruits, licorice, espresso and cocoa. The wine is lush, the tannins are ripe and it's just a pleasure to sniff, swirl and sip this beauty. The wine will age quite nicely as well. 96 Points
2012 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (Napa Valley) 90With just a few years in the bottle, this is already drinking well with its approachable, lush, ripe, chocolate covered, black cherry character. Medium bodied, with just enough depth of fruit to earn it a 90 Pt score, the wine is already open and displaying its sweet and tart, black and fruits, earth, a bit of mocha. The wine is elegant in style and will drink great young. With a nose packed with licorice, blackberries and smoke, the round textured, open wine ends with sweet, ripe, black cherries. For Napa, this represents a very good value. 90 Points
2011 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 90The lightest vintage of Phelps Insignia I remember tasting. The reticent aromas took coaxing before showing their jammy black raspberry character. The finish was clean, and showed fruit, but it was short, especially since Insignia is capable of being such a great wine. 90 Points
2011 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (Napa Valley) 89Forward, medium bodied with a licorice, coffee, vanilla bean and black cherry personaity that finishes with sweet black cherries and a touch of dust in the end note. 89 Points
2010 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96Tight, this needs air, decanting or both, before it once again offers its sweet, blackberry jam, licorice, oak and vanilla tinged fruits. Soft, polished and round, the end notes deliver plums, blackberry and cocoa powder. I'd wait 3-5 years before popping a bottle. Phelps Insignia is the most consistent, high scoring, Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley for the last 20 years. 2010 continues that trend with its deep color, smoky black fruits, licorice, jammy berries, truffle and earthy style. Long, fat, rich and intense, this can be enjoyed young, if you prefer primary fruit, or you can it age it for decades. 96 Points
2010 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (Napa Valley) 92Using a blend of what you miight see in the Left Bank of Bordeaux with its use of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the wine delivers fresh, juicy ripe berries, a touch of oak, chocoalte and cherry notes in its array of flavors. Forward in style and already open, if you like them young, don't wait, just pull a cork. 92 Points
2009 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96Silky, polished, fleshy, rich, lush and full bodied, the wine is filled with layers of fat, juicy, ripe, fresh berries, licorice and chocolate. A few years of age will add a lot to this outstanding wine. Deep in color, with a nose packed with fresh, jammy blackberries, vanilla, licorice, chocolate and soil aromas. On the palate, this concentrated, fleshy, rich wine is jammed with sweet, plump fruits and chocoalte. This will taste great young and like all the great vintages of Phelps Insignia, it will age and improve. 96 Points
2009 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (Napa Valley) 90This is a very stylish, affordable, California Cabernet Sauvignon. From a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, iits open, fruit forward style, allows for drinking today, with its soft, fat, ripe, spicy, licorice and black cherry and chocolate personality. 90 Points
2008 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96This nose is a knockout with its licorice, espresso bean, blackberry jam, blueberry and floral scents. Rich, round, ripe and powerful, the opulent finish is packed and stacked with lush blackberry, spice and cassis. Its perfume demanded your attention with its showy and earthy scents. Powerful, round, rich and packed with ripe fruit, it is as opulent as it is pure. I could drink this now, or age for 15-20 years. 96 Points
2008 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 90Licorice, smoke, cassis, coffee and black raspberry scents make up the aromatics. Fat and delicious, the easy too like and already accessible Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wine ends with a soft, chocolate, plum and cherry filled finish. 90 Points
2007 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 97Rich, fleshy, concentrated and deep. Flashy in style and more than tasty, the powerful aromas of licorice, blackberry, jam, earth, smoke, espresso and black cherry liqueur are in full force. The wine is deep, concentrated and rich, packed with extremely ripe fruit, everything is in balance. There is no sensation of heat or over ripe flavors, this is a beautiful example of everything great about California Cabernet Sauvignon. Stylish, powerful, supple and mouth coating, this rich, dense wine was produced from a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Based on older vintages of Insignia this could age for at least 2-3 decades. 97 Points
2005 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 95From a blend of blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec, this deeply colored wine offers blackberry, coffee, blueberry and spice aromatics. Thick, rich and plush in texture, this California Cabernet Sauvignon is drinking great today. 95 Points
2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 95Still young, but showing nicely, this Left Bank, Bordeaux styled blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec offers vanilla, coffee bean, cocoa, cassis, blackberry and jammy scents. Rich, concentrated, powerful and sweet, the wine ends with ample, ripe, fat fresh, dark berry, fennel, jam and espresso. Paired with perfectly grilled, Flannery strip, it was a match made in heaven! 95 Points
2001 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96Round and lush, this is a delicious wine! The perfect match for beef grilled rare, with its fat, juicy, ripe, dense layers of rich blackberry puree, licorice, smoke, vanilla, earth and jam characteristics. The wine is intense, plush, polished, rich and packed with fruit yet in balance . Still youthful, Phelps Insignia is one of the best examples of age-worthy California Cabernet Sauvignon. Splash decanted, the wine was produced from a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. 96 Points
1997 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 97Juicy, lush, fat and sweet, with perfectly ripe fruit, density of flavor, silky textures and a blast of Espresso, fennel, smoke, 5 spice, blackberry jam and wet earth aromas create the complex aromatics. Rich, deep and full bodied, with a supple, sensuous mouth feel and a long, pure, clean blackberry, plum and spicy finish. This is a true wine of pleasure. A wine of this quality with a production level of close to 18,000 cases is truly quite an accomplishment, It’s amazing to consider the massive size of the production of this wine along with the consistent level of quality found in Phelps Insignia.. 97 Points
1995 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 94A fully developed, elegant, refined, classy wine that offers everything in balance and harmony. Ripe, silky round and delicious, this is a finesse styled wine with a lot of charm that is definitely in the sweet spot with Cassis, licorice, herbs, truffle, blackberry, tobacco and earthy aromas that lead to a balanced, fresh, round style of California Sauvignon and ends with soft, ripe, layers of blackberry and cherry.The dark red berries, with touches of earth, cocoa, and spice, are ripe, the tannins are sweet and the finish is long, with freshness and energy. I really like the style here. No decanting needed. Just pop, pour and enjoy... 94 Points
1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 97The wine had a beautiful dark, purple, blue color. On the nose aromas of cassis, blackberries, coffee, chocolate and toasty oak fill your senses. But the palate is where the wine really shines. The wine's finish last about 35 seconds. Thick, rich, concentrated with a very supple texture and great aromatics. The milk chocoalte covered blackberry, licorice, vanilla, spice and truffle aromas opened to a rich, full bodied, powerful, silky wine, with purity and layers of sweet, black fruits in the finish. A truely stunning wine that expresses the best qualities of the traditional California Cabernet Sauvignon. 97 Points
1991 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard (Oakville) 89On the nose herbs, mint, chocolate, cassis, mustard & coffee but not many fruit notes. Good mouth feel with ripe red & black fruit notes. A nice wine, but simple. 89 Points
1986 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley) 93The perfect, classic California Cabernet to insert as a ringer due to its earthy, cassis and cherry tobacco character. Refined in texture, with sweet, fresh fruits, this tastes at least a decade younger than its true age. You will wish you had a few more bottles. 93 Points
1984 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley) 91It took a while for the barnyard notes to blow off and allow the tobacco, earth, cherry, forest and herb scents to emerge. Concentrated and deep, with rustic, old school textures, the wine ends with tart, spicy, peppery cherries. This is a nice, but not great example of classic California Cabernet Sauvignon. 91 Points
1984 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 91Tobacco, old wood, spice box, cassis, blackberry and forest floor aromas, mature textures and a spice filled, red berry and cherry finish. This is fully mature. Holding it any longer is pressing your luck. 91 Points
1979 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 85This wine featured obvious notes of black pepper, cassis and dark fruits. I wish it had been a little more complex. The finish served up a nice chocolate note. Good mouth feel 85 Points
1978 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard (Oakville) 94This is a beautiful example of mature California Cabernet Sauvignon. Concentrated, full bodied and loaded with dark, juicy cassis, blackberry, tobacco, cedar and mushroom characteristics, there is freshness and length, ending with a blast of dark, spicy, red fruits. 94 Points
1978 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley) 94Black cherries, spice, earth, mushroom, wet forest and smokey scents lead to a fully mature, perfect example of California Cabernet Sauvignon that is still delivering a great tasting experience. 94 Points
1975 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley) 92This is where it all started. If you can get a tasting of this you will have definetly have bragging right.
2016 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (Napa Valley) 92Forward, soft, lush, medium-bodied, juicy and fresh, with a nice spicy component to the ripe, red fruits, you can enjoy this young, due to its ripe tannins and open approach. 92 Points
2016 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Freestone Vineyards (Sonoma Coast) 91Good freshness, ripe, lemons and apples with a touch of vanilla and yellow citrus fruits. A nice, pleasant charmer. 91 Points
2015 Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards (Sonoma Coast) 92Spicy, sweet fruits, soft, lush textures and a rich, forward, red berry finish are found here. 92 Points
2014 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96Layer after layer of ripe, fat, sweet, delicious, black fruits with licorice, smoke, black cherry and earthy accents. There is depth, weight and length with sensuous textures. 96 Points
2014 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 92Very solid wine here. Plush, polished textures, ripe, black and red fruits and a blast of licorice and smoke in the endnote. You can drink this now, or cellar it for more complexity. 92 Points
2013 Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Pastorale Vineyard (Sonoma Coast) 91A bit oaky, but more than enough of the ripe, sweet, fresh, apple, pear, citrus peel and tropical fruit shine through the vanilla underpinnings to make the wine interesting and fun to taste. This is ready to go. 91 Points
2012 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96Deep in color, with good intensity, concentration of raw materials, delicious, sweet, ripe fruits, dark chocolate and a supple forward character, what's not to like? Insignia has to be a contender for the most consistent, high quality wine in the Napa Valley over the past 3 decades or so, and the 2012 is not going to break that streak. Full bodied, rich, concentrated deep and velvety, the wine is packed with ripe, fresh, sweet, black and blue fruits, licorice, espresso and cocoa. The wine is lush, the tannins are ripe and it's just a pleasure to sniff, swirl and sip this beauty. The wine will age quite nicely as well. 96 Points
2012 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (Napa Valley) 90With just a few years in the bottle, this is already drinking well with its approachable, lush, ripe, chocolate covered, black cherry character. Medium bodied, with just enough depth of fruit to earn it a 90 Pt score, the wine is already open and displaying its sweet and tart, black and fruits, earth, a bit of mocha. The wine is elegant in style and will drink great young. With a nose packed with licorice, blackberries and smoke, the round textured, open wine ends with sweet, ripe, black cherries. For Napa, this represents a very good value. 90 Points
2011 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 90The lightest vintage of Phelps Insignia I remember tasting. The reticent aromas took coaxing before showing their jammy black raspberry character. The finish was clean, and showed fruit, but it was short, especially since Insignia is capable of being such a great wine. 90 Points
2011 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (Napa Valley) 89Forward, medium bodied with a licorice, coffee, vanilla bean and black cherry personaity that finishes with sweet black cherries and a touch of dust in the end note. 89 Points
2010 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96Tight, this needs air, decanting or both, before it once again offers its sweet, blackberry jam, licorice, oak and vanilla tinged fruits. Soft, polished and round, the end notes deliver plums, blackberry and cocoa powder. I'd wait 3-5 years before popping a bottle. Phelps Insignia is the most consistent, high scoring, Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley for the last 20 years. 2010 continues that trend with its deep color, smoky black fruits, licorice, jammy berries, truffle and earthy style. Long, fat, rich and intense, this can be enjoyed young, if you prefer primary fruit, or you can it age it for decades. 96 Points
2010 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (Napa Valley) 92Using a blend of what you miight see in the Left Bank of Bordeaux with its use of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the wine delivers fresh, juicy ripe berries, a touch of oak, chocoalte and cherry notes in its array of flavors. Forward in style and already open, if you like them young, don't wait, just pull a cork. 92 Points
2009 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96Silky, polished, fleshy, rich, lush and full bodied, the wine is filled with layers of fat, juicy, ripe, fresh berries, licorice and chocolate. A few years of age will add a lot to this outstanding wine. Deep in color, with a nose packed with fresh, jammy blackberries, vanilla, licorice, chocolate and soil aromas. On the palate, this concentrated, fleshy, rich wine is jammed with sweet, plump fruits and chocoalte. This will taste great young and like all the great vintages of Phelps Insignia, it will age and improve. 96 Points
2009 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (Napa Valley) 90This is a very stylish, affordable, California Cabernet Sauvignon. From a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, iits open, fruit forward style, allows for drinking today, with its soft, fat, ripe, spicy, licorice and black cherry and chocolate personality. 90 Points
2008 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96This nose is a knockout with its licorice, espresso bean, blackberry jam, blueberry and floral scents. Rich, round, ripe and powerful, the opulent finish is packed and stacked with lush blackberry, spice and cassis. Its perfume demanded your attention with its showy and earthy scents. Powerful, round, rich and packed with ripe fruit, it is as opulent as it is pure. I could drink this now, or age for 15-20 years. 96 Points
2008 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 90Licorice, smoke, cassis, coffee and black raspberry scents make up the aromatics. Fat and delicious, the easy too like and already accessible Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wine ends with a soft, chocolate, plum and cherry filled finish. 90 Points
2007 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 97Rich, fleshy, concentrated and deep. Flashy in style and more than tasty, the powerful aromas of licorice, blackberry, jam, earth, smoke, espresso and black cherry liqueur are in full force. The wine is deep, concentrated and rich, packed with extremely ripe fruit, everything is in balance. There is no sensation of heat or over ripe flavors, this is a beautiful example of everything great about California Cabernet Sauvignon. Stylish, powerful, supple and mouth coating, this rich, dense wine was produced from a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Based on older vintages of Insignia this could age for at least 2-3 decades. 97 Points
2005 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 95From a blend of blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec, this deeply colored wine offers blackberry, coffee, blueberry and spice aromatics. Thick, rich and plush in texture, this California Cabernet Sauvignon is drinking great today. 95 Points
2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 95Still young, but showing nicely, this Left Bank, Bordeaux styled blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec offers vanilla, coffee bean, cocoa, cassis, blackberry and jammy scents. Rich, concentrated, powerful and sweet, the wine ends with ample, ripe, fat fresh, dark berry, fennel, jam and espresso. Paired with perfectly grilled, Flannery strip, it was a match made in heaven! 95 Points
2001 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 96Round and lush, this is a delicious wine! The perfect match for beef grilled rare, with its fat, juicy, ripe, dense layers of rich blackberry puree, licorice, smoke, vanilla, earth and jam characteristics. The wine is intense, plush, polished, rich and packed with fruit yet in balance . Still youthful, Phelps Insignia is one of the best examples of age-worthy California Cabernet Sauvignon. Splash decanted, the wine was produced from a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. 96 Points
1997 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 97Juicy, lush, fat and sweet, with perfectly ripe fruit, density of flavor, silky textures and a blast of Espresso, fennel, smoke, 5 spice, blackberry jam and wet earth aromas create the complex aromatics. Rich, deep and full bodied, with a supple, sensuous mouth feel and a long, pure, clean blackberry, plum and spicy finish. This is a true wine of pleasure. A wine of this quality with a production level of close to 18,000 cases is truly quite an accomplishment, It’s amazing to consider the massive size of the production of this wine along with the consistent level of quality found in Phelps Insignia.. 97 Points
1995 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 94A fully developed, elegant, refined, classy wine that offers everything in balance and harmony. Ripe, silky round and delicious, this is a finesse styled wine with a lot of charm that is definitely in the sweet spot with Cassis, licorice, herbs, truffle, blackberry, tobacco and earthy aromas that lead to a balanced, fresh, round style of California Sauvignon and ends with soft, ripe, layers of blackberry and cherry.The dark red berries, with touches of earth, cocoa, and spice, are ripe, the tannins are sweet and the finish is long, with freshness and energy. I really like the style here. No decanting needed. Just pop, pour and enjoy... 94 Points
1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 97The wine had a beautiful dark, purple, blue color. On the nose aromas of cassis, blackberries, coffee, chocolate and toasty oak fill your senses. But the palate is where the wine really shines. The wine's finish last about 35 seconds. Thick, rich, concentrated with a very supple texture and great aromatics. The milk chocoalte covered blackberry, licorice, vanilla, spice and truffle aromas opened to a rich, full bodied, powerful, silky wine, with purity and layers of sweet, black fruits in the finish. A truely stunning wine that expresses the best qualities of the traditional California Cabernet Sauvignon. 97 Points
1991 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard (Oakville) 89On the nose herbs, mint, chocolate, cassis, mustard & coffee but not many fruit notes. Good mouth feel with ripe red & black fruit notes. A nice wine, but simple. 89 Points
1986 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley) 93The perfect, classic California Cabernet to insert as a ringer due to its earthy, cassis and cherry tobacco character. Refined in texture, with sweet, fresh fruits, this tastes at least a decade younger than its true age. You will wish you had a few more bottles. 93 Points
1984 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley) 91It took a while for the barnyard notes to blow off and allow the tobacco, earth, cherry, forest and herb scents to emerge. Concentrated and deep, with rustic, old school textures, the wine ends with tart, spicy, peppery cherries. This is a nice, but not great example of classic California Cabernet Sauvignon. 91 Points
1984 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 91Tobacco, old wood, spice box, cassis, blackberry and forest floor aromas, mature textures and a spice filled, red berry and cherry finish. This is fully mature. Holding it any longer is pressing your luck. 91 Points
1979 Joseph Phelps Insignia (Napa Valley) 85This wine featured obvious notes of black pepper, cassis and dark fruits. I wish it had been a little more complex. The finish served up a nice chocolate note. Good mouth feel 85 Points
1978 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard (Oakville) 94This is a beautiful example of mature California Cabernet Sauvignon. Concentrated, full bodied and loaded with dark, juicy cassis, blackberry, tobacco, cedar and mushroom characteristics, there is freshness and length, ending with a blast of dark, spicy, red fruits. 94 Points
1978 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley) 94Black cherries, spice, earth, mushroom, wet forest and smokey scents lead to a fully mature, perfect example of California Cabernet Sauvignon that is still delivering a great tasting experience. 94 Points
1975 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard (Napa Valley) 92This is where it all started. If you can get a tasting of this you will have definetly have bragging right.