Benchmark Wines by
Joseph Phelps
The Winery
Joseph Phelps
Joseph Phelps has developed, over its long and successful history, into one of the most powerful wineries in the entire Napa Valley. This prestigious winery crafts three distinct Bordeaux- style blends including the flagship, Insignia, the exclusive wine club only Backus, and a Napa Valley Cabernet blend, among numerous other varietals. Their flagship wine, Insignia, is now recognized as one of the world’s great wines. Thirty-one of thirty-six vintages have been rated ninety or more points by various wine publications. The 2002 vintage was awarded “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator Magazine. The appearance, aroma and palate characteristics are most remarkable for their bold and vibrant expressions. Their level of excellence has persisted as the winery has expanded and developed over generations. Benchmark Wine Group invites you to taste for yourself the epitome of excellence.
Tasting Notes
- JS97
- Amazing aromas of blueberry, blackberry, mineral and bark. Complex nose. Full body plus super integrated tannins with superb balance and depth. Coffee and chocolate too. Very long and mind-bending. A tribute to the vintage. Drink or hold. A long life ahead of it. A blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 10% petit verdot, 3% malbec, and 2% cabernet franc.
- WA96
- The flagship wine of the estate in reds is their Insignia, which has been one of the great Bordeaux blends made in California since the debut vintage in 1974. It usually has 30+ years aging potential, even in lighter vintages, of which the 2012, 2013 and 2014 are decidedly not. The 2012 Proprietary Red Insignia, a final blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and the rest Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc all from estate vineyards, was aged 24 months in 100% new French oak. There are 15,000 cases of it, and it’s a fabulous, classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Inky purple to the rim, with notes of lead pencil shavings, incense, camphor, blackberry and creme de cassis, the wine is full-bodied, offering a multi-layered, textural, skyscraper-like mouthfeel, terrific purity, density and richness. All of this is achieved without a sense of heaviness or anything aggressive. This is a beauty to drink now and over the next 30 years.
Other wines you may like
Rare Wines, Serious Collectors
As the #1 back-vintage retailer in the US, Benchmark Wine Group prides itself on being a trusted source for the greatest wines in the world. Their unparalleled market knowledge and exceptional service have come together to provide the most accessible cellar of rare and sought-after wines with a guarantee.
Provenance Guarantee
Benchmark Wine Group
445 Devlin RoadNapa, CA 94558
Phone: 707.255.3500
Fax: 707.255.3503
SMS: 707.200.4049
Questions?
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
Shipping Questions?
orders@benchmarkwine.com
Terms & Conditions
Your Privacy Rights
Accessibility
Copyright © 2024 Benchmark Wine Group