Jay Kline

9.2

First pour of this and I was like, “uh-oh”. It was clearly full of flaws (Brettanomyces, VA and maaaaybe some slight TCA) but would they be too much to appreciate the wine? Only time would tell so into the decanter it went. After a lot of air, it became clear this was Brett and VA. The wine pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still) with notes of blackberries, umeboshi, animale, purple flowers, black pepper, red Flintstone vitamin, horse blanket, wood varnish, and sous bois. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. An elegant, complicated bottle. This is my second time with the 1997 vintage and due to the flaws, a different adventure than previous. That being said, this decidedly grumpy, Burgundian expression of Clape’s Cornas paired really well with the dry-aged steaks. Drink now, with a lot of patience, through 2037? — 9 days ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.5

Medium dark robe, nose of steak tartare and cedar. Very complex and elegant in the mouth, great acidity and balance, licorice, dried flowers, a hint of dry port. Finishes on a beautiful acid note and is such a companion. Truly great bottle. You can barely tell the vintage. — 3 years ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Conrad Green

9.5

Settled and pretty. Tell tale Barolo notes of tar and wood. Roses and faded plum with done dried herbs and a hint of dried orange. Balanced and transparent. Long. Very good. — 4 years ago

with Matt and Paul

David Valenti

9.1

Tobacco, dried plum, chocolate and saw dust. Full-bodied, dry tannins. The bottle is 9 years old so probably on the downward slope. Hard to tell, in fact. Still great. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Double decanted two nights before service. The 2013 Insignia pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing but still quite youthful with notes of tart and ripe dark fruit: dense brambles, purple flowers, tobacco, vanilla and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. At 11 years of age, this remains tightly coiled and needs more time to open up and tell more of its story. All that being said, this is very good now…but to my palate, better after 2027 and through 2043. — 2 years ago

Brad Jensen

9.0

First impression: You can tell it’s from a top producer. It’s very refined and deliberate. Not delicate, but doesn’t hammer you. Velvety, with smooth tannins playin wayyy in the background. Like the bass line in jazz. The nose is there, but it it’s not all THAT bold, with notes of blueberry, dark rose, black cherry, and dark chocolate. Color is a deep red with purple melded in the middle. Surprisingly medium/light body, with light tannins, more to the rim and background but the flavors are surprisingly restrained, like there’s a hole in it. Good, but not great. — 3 years ago

Anthony De Blasi

9.3

Reviews say I should wait untill at least 2028 to open it and I should have listened. The basics for a truly great wine are there but it’ still a bit of everywhere in terms of acidity and tannins. Time will tell… — 6 months ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

This delivered the goods ! Half as apéritif and another half two weeks later on a vacuvin closure. Excellent Sauternes on the more elegant side. Plenty of years ahead, you can barely tell the age. — 2 years ago

with Adriana and Jose

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2020 | Licorice in smell, cherries, blackberries, I thought it to be pinot noir because it has a certain frivoliy. Wine with a story. Good effort. — 3 years ago

Carlos Gonzalez

9.2

90% Pinot noir and you can tell. Medium body but light on its feet. Exotic and luscious. — 4 years ago