Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Joseph Phelps
Label Name:
 
Insignia
Vintage:
 
2018
Country:
 
United States
Region:
 
Napa Valley, California
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.5%
Grape(s):
 
Cabernet Sauvignon 87%, Petit Verdot 8%, Malbec 3%, Cabernet Franc 2%
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Wine Advocate (Lisa Perrotti-Brown) 97+; Wine Enthusiast 98 (Cellar Selection); James Suckling 99; Vinous 96; Wine Spectator 94; Decanter 96. Insignia (other vintages) earned multiple 100-point scores (1991, 1997, 2002, 2007)

Tasting Note
Concentrated cassis, blackberry and black cherry with graphite, tobacco, dark chocolate and cedar; savory menthol and clove notes. Full-bodied, dense palate with silky yet firm dusty tannins and a long, spicy cocoa-tinged finish.

Food Pairing
Western: grilled ribeye, roast lamb, braised short ribs, aged cheddar. Asian: Korean BBQ (galbi), Cantonese char siu, Peking duck, Szechuan pepper beef.

Production Method
Small-lot fermentations from estate vineyards; blended and aged 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels before bottling.

Vineyard Info
Joseph Phelps Vineyards—family-owned Napa estate. Insignia debuted in 1974 as the winery’s flagship proprietary Bordeaux-style blend and remains their signature wine.