2009 Joseph Phelps "Insignia" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

“The 2009 Joseph Phelps Insignia has an impressive dark and menacing appearance, offering intoxicating aromas of dark currants, ripe black cherries, anise, herbs, graphite and hints of crushed violets evolve after extended contact with air. Powerful, rich and densely concentrated with wonderful plush layers of intense flavors. The supple finish is long and mouth coating, leaving gorgeous dark fruits, spice and subtle chocolate flavors lingering on and on. A fascinating wine that is approachable now, but there is no reason to rush, it will certainly only get better with time. Composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec from 100% estate-grown Napa Valley vineyards which spent 24 months in 100% new French oak prior to bottling in January, 2012. (JD)” (04/2013)

“A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot, the deep garnet colored 2009 Insignia soars out of the glass with beautifully expressed cassis, baked plums and blackberry preserves scents plus nuances of rose hip tea, potpourri, cigar box, crushed rocks, raked leaves and tapenade. Medium to full-bodied, the tannins here are just incredible—soft, fine-grained, wonderfully knit—backed up with lovely freshness and all those fragrant black fruit flavors, finishing long and earthy. (LPB)” (01/2020)

“It is quite clear by now that 2009 is proving to be a standout year for Cabernet, but within the crowd of outstanding wines, this one holds its head just a bit higher. It is, as Insignia always is, a wine of exceptional crafting and polish, and yet in this outing, it seems to have an extra measure of richness and fruity strength, not to mention plenty of grippy structural tannins. There is an almost brooding aspect about it that suggests that it is not yet even close to showing all that it has, and it looks very likely to be among the more age-worthy and longest lived Insignias of recent years. Bravo! *Three Stars*” (12/2012)

“This wine continues a long-standing tradition, showing a mastery of the art of blending. It's made using grapes that are sourced from at least six vineyards scattered from Yountville to St. Helena. Right out of the bottle, it's a soft, smoothly tannic wine that's rich in blackberry jam, black currant, blueberry, raspberry, dark chocolate and spice flavors. The wine, which contains small amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec, is so powerful, it easily carries the 100% new French oak.” (12/2012)

“Saturated bright ruby. Cassis, black cherry, mocha, graphite, dark chocolate and violet on the nose. Enters the mouth with a flavor of dark chocolate, then utterly silky and smooth in the mid-palate, delivering concentrated, deep flavors of black fruits and licorice complicated by minerals, violet and dark chocolate. If this wine does not yet show quite the personality or definition of the '07, it finishes pure and extremely long, with substantial fully buffered tannins and an element of medicinal reserve. This really fills the mouth without leaving any impression of heaviness. I suspect that there's still more positive bottle development ahead for this beauty. (ST)” (07/2019)

“Juicy, pure fruit with a luscious berry character. Scented spice from oak is quite apparent, but not overdone. Firm, ripe tannins give firm structure. A very good impression of Bordeaux, from the right bank, perhaps? (RH)” (11/2013)