Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Valley 2002

100 points Robert Parker: "The 2002 boasts an inky/purple color along with notes of graphite, violets, blackberries, creme de cassis and hints of charcoal and barbecue in addition to a full-bodied, multilayered mouthfeel that builds incrementally with great purity, staggering fruit concentration, and a long, velvety, 50+-second finish. This prodigious effort should continue to drink well for 20+ years. Drink: 2013-2033. (11/29/13)"

'#1 Wine of the Year for 2005'/96 points Wine Spectator: "A rich, polished, seductive style with layers of complexity built around a dense, concentrated mix of currant, blackberry, plum and exotic mocha- and cedar-scented oak. This mouthcoating young wine is powerful yet elegant and deftly balanced, finishing with a long, succulent aftertaste. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. (11/15/05)"

96 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "78% Cabernet Sauvignon; 14% Merlot; 7% Petit Verdot; 1% Malbec. Once again showing the extraordinary combination of polish, fruity depth and wonderfully rich oak that is particular to the very best of the Insignia lineup, this concentrated, intensely aromatic wine comes up long on character and style. Its evident ripeness is manifest in a touch of last-minute heat, but its fleshy feel, superb balance and neatly fit tannin bring it a peerless sense of refinement that will tease us all long before this stunningly compelling bottling reaches its finely polished peak some five to seven years hence. (Dec 2005)"

95 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Still 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! (Mar 2012)"