2008 joseph phelps, insignia, napa valley
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Why We're Buying
In 1974, Joseph Phelps began making separate cuvées for each year, with each one representing the finest wine from the vintage. Thus, Insignia was born. While the amount of cabernet sauvignon changes each year, Insignia's quality never does. It has earned four 100-point ratings from wine critic Robert Parker, and Wine Spectator ranked the 2005 as the top wine of the year.
Critics Scores
Wine Enthusiast
A glamorous wine, rich and complex, with lots going on. Lacks perhaps some of the depth of, say, the '03 and '04, more on a par with the 2007, but still a very fine Insignia. With rich blackberry and cassis flavors wrapped into thick tannins and fine new oak sweetness, it's nowhere ready to drink now.
Wine Spectator
Dense and chewy, this is very tight and closed, but the glimpses of fruit offer tight mineral, crushed rock, graphite, dried currant, cedar and anise. Full-bodied and way too young to drink now, this needs time, but should provide years of rewarding drinking. Cab¬ernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Best from 2014 through 2026.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 reveals an opaque purple color in addition to blueberry and blackberry fruit notes intermixed with incense and violets. Barely approaching adolescence, it is still a grapy, primary, full-bodied beauty that will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring. It should drink well for 20-25 years.
James Suckling
What a wonderful wine here. The nose shows a fabulous combination of dak fruits, chocolate, spices and caramel. The palate is silky textured with lots of ripe yet beautiful fruit and super silky, tight tannins. This is a balanced wine with all the potential to age for decades.