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
- WA98+
- The 2013 Insignia (their 40th vintage) is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This wine is aged 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels, and the production can vary from just over 10,000 cases to nearly 20,000 cases in a very abundant vintage. There were 12,300 cases produced in 2013, and this vintage of Insignia is certainly going to turn out to be one of the great ones. The wine offers a stunning inky blue/purple color, a gorgeous nose of blueberry and blackberry liqueur, pen ink, graphite, new saddle leather and barrique. The wine has fabulous concentration, a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel, and tremendous finish with moderate tannin. It’s interesting to note that the Phelps winemaking staff had been gradually reducing the amount of Merlot in this wine over recent vintages. The 2013 should hit its peak in 5-7 years and last for 35-50.
- WE98
- The mighty Insignia shows a vibrancy of purpose and craft in this, its 40th vintage, combining 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. Together they find a higher calling of perfumed violet, dark plum and berry along with graphite and an edginess of dried herb. Firm, structured tannins show tremendous potential for aging and decanting. This is a near-perfect effort from a blockbuster vintage.
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