99 points James Suckling: "Blackberry and black chocolate with mint, conifer and clove. Sweet tobacco, violets and flowers, too. Some graphite. Cool and complex. Full-bodied with ultra fine, dusty tannins and a wonderful, extremely long finish. Savory and refined. A classic-styled 2018. This needs time, but is so approachable and gorgeous. One of the best Insignias ever. Alive and changing all the time. 40% Stags Leap AVA. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% petit verdot, 3% malbec and 2% cabernet franc. Leave this for five or six years, but so wonderful now. (8/2/21)"
98 points International Wine Report: "The 2018 Insignia is a fabulous showing in this vintage. Composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec, which all spent 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. It begins with a complex aromatic profile of ripe black currants, blackberries as well as blueberries that are joined by violets, graphite, mocha, mint, cigar box, herbs and gravel nuances that all take shape. This continues to impress with its gorgeous full-bodied texture that is structured with beautifully polished tannins resulting in a lovely finessed mouthfeel as it works its way across the palate. It goes on to display outstanding overall balance and concentration, as layers of ripe dark fruits, mocha and spices continue to build up to the long supple finish. The 2018 is already extremely impressive, however this wine clearly has the potential, and track record to age marvelously for decades. Drink: 2023-2050. (May 2021)"
97+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "The 2018 Insignia is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard sources this year include: 30% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District),18% Yountville (Oak Knoll District), 13% Banca Dorada (Rutherford), 18% Suscol (South Napa Valley), 14% Home Ranch (St. Helena), 12% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District), 7% Barboza (Stags Leap District). It was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes storming out of the glass with powerful notes of blackcurrant cordial, stewed black plums and boysenberries, plus hints of cedar chest, graphite, menthol and wet slate with a fragrant waft of clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate already demonstrates remarkable balance at this youthful stage, featuring a firm backbone of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the tightly wound, crunchy black fruits, finishing long and spicy. Drink: 2024-2044. (Jul 2021)"
95-97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "[$325/750ml list] Very much in the style of the vintage with its pure, concentrated, yet also elegant and focused style, the 2018 Insignia offers up a vivid purple hue to go with lots of red and blue fruits, menthol, tobacco, graphite, and distinct minerality. With an almost Bordeaux-like style, medium to full-bodied richness, present tannins, and a great finish, it's a beautiful, classic Cabernet Sauvignon blend from this team that's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades or more. (1/27/21)"
93-96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Insignia is a beautiful wine. It is also quite delicate and less bombastic than some recent vintages have been. Its hard to tell if that is just the personality of the year or if changes in farming and/or winemaking are also at play. I suppose time will tell. In the meantime, the 2018 is gorgeous Insignia with tons of potential. Blueberry jam, spice, menthol, dried herbs and licorice all develop in the glass, all lifted by the salivating acids of a long, cool growing season. (Jan 2021)"
94 points Wine Spectator (10/31/21)
98 points International Wine Report: "The 2018 Insignia is a fabulous showing in this vintage. Composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec, which all spent 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. It begins with a complex aromatic profile of ripe black currants, blackberries as well as blueberries that are joined by violets, graphite, mocha, mint, cigar box, herbs and gravel nuances that all take shape. This continues to impress with its gorgeous full-bodied texture that is structured with beautifully polished tannins resulting in a lovely finessed mouthfeel as it works its way across the palate. It goes on to display outstanding overall balance and concentration, as layers of ripe dark fruits, mocha and spices continue to build up to the long supple finish. The 2018 is already extremely impressive, however this wine clearly has the potential, and track record to age marvelously for decades. Drink: 2023-2050. (May 2021)"
97+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "The 2018 Insignia is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard sources this year include: 30% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District),18% Yountville (Oak Knoll District), 13% Banca Dorada (Rutherford), 18% Suscol (South Napa Valley), 14% Home Ranch (St. Helena), 12% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District), 7% Barboza (Stags Leap District). It was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes storming out of the glass with powerful notes of blackcurrant cordial, stewed black plums and boysenberries, plus hints of cedar chest, graphite, menthol and wet slate with a fragrant waft of clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate already demonstrates remarkable balance at this youthful stage, featuring a firm backbone of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the tightly wound, crunchy black fruits, finishing long and spicy. Drink: 2024-2044. (Jul 2021)"
95-97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "[$325/750ml list] Very much in the style of the vintage with its pure, concentrated, yet also elegant and focused style, the 2018 Insignia offers up a vivid purple hue to go with lots of red and blue fruits, menthol, tobacco, graphite, and distinct minerality. With an almost Bordeaux-like style, medium to full-bodied richness, present tannins, and a great finish, it's a beautiful, classic Cabernet Sauvignon blend from this team that's going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades or more. (1/27/21)"
93-96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Insignia is a beautiful wine. It is also quite delicate and less bombastic than some recent vintages have been. Its hard to tell if that is just the personality of the year or if changes in farming and/or winemaking are also at play. I suppose time will tell. In the meantime, the 2018 is gorgeous Insignia with tons of potential. Blueberry jam, spice, menthol, dried herbs and licorice all develop in the glass, all lifted by the salivating acids of a long, cool growing season. (Jan 2021)"
94 points Wine Spectator (10/31/21)
| Product SKU | 340423 |
| Producer | Joseph Phelps |
| Country | United States |
| Region | California |
| SubRegion | Napa Valley |
| Varietal | Cabernet/Bordeaux Blends |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Size | 1.5L |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc |
| Ships To |
