I recently had a conversation with a few Joseph Phelps Ambassador’s at Pebble Beach Food & Wine in April. I said, I had every vintage of Insignia back to 2006 in storage. They said, “you should really drink up the 2006.” So, I coravined an 06 last weekend, a taste. I agreed then. But tonight not the case, it shows it still has a fair amount of life. Another 5-8 yrs and perhaps plus.
My Ribcap, a definition of Medium Rare Plus.
The nose reveals floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, softly layered baking spices, very underrated graphite, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola.
The palate shows well resolved, rounded, velvety M+ tannins. Nicely ripe fruits that are floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel river, softly layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanillin, warm caramel, dark Asian spices with palate burrowing heat, dry tobacco/ leather, cedar, grilled meats, very underrated graphite, sweet tarriness, black licorice, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola, candied to withering; dark, red, blue florals wrapped in liquid violets, epic rainfall acidity, well balanced-structured-toned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on earth & heated spice.
95-96 peaking. — 18 days ago
This was showing beautifully with good richness, balance, red & black fruits, earth, spice box, cedar, leather & tobacco notes — 2 months ago
It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Beautiful nose of black fruits with cedar and chocolate notes.
Full-bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light earth, herbs, mediterranean spices, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Complex and nicely balanced, fruit forward and elegant. Spicy and entertaining.
This Single Vineyard Cabernet is still young, but already enjoyable even by itself. Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 to 20 years. Showing good potential to become a 96+ point wine.
A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were dry farmed and aged in (80% new) French oak barrels for 24 months.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
93 points.
$140. — 3 months ago
Aromas of blueberry, black currant, lavender and rose petals. Earthy graphite and savory herb favors with hints of spice and cocoa powder in the glass. Creamy and fine grain tannin finish. Could have aged for another 20 years easy. — 5 months ago
This is what I think of when I think of Rioja. Dried cherry and cranberry is what I get right away, and then it has more savory/earthy notes like leather and mushroom. When I tasted it I said “it tastes old.” That is a compliment. Hints of vanilla and spice. Felt elegant with a long finish. Had it with fatty new york strips. Tannins and acidity balanced it well. Not a loud wine, but a great one. — 6 months ago
Bright red fruits on the nose, and it follows on the palate. There’s a seriously structured core under there, with hints of vanilla and spice. 2011 vintage is at it’s prime now, and could be ideal for another 2-3 years. Just an outstandingly made wine. — 6 months ago
Dense Ruby with a Crimson rim. Aromas of red and black berries, chocolate, and smoked meat. Full bodied and muscular. From a single vineyard in McLaren Vale which was planted 124 years ago. Silky tannins. A great red on a cold night in Winter. Love the old fashioned label which probably hasn’t changed in 100 years showing the two Kay Brothers. Hope to have the patience to drink the last bottle in say 2028 to 2030. — 2 months ago

4th wine . medium deep ruby garnet , thinner garnet rim . Quite deep and serious again , spicy with more cassis , touch smoky , mineral with touches of dry spice and cool sea breeze . On the palate this again has more grip a touch more mid palate , quite masculine in style, cassis , tobacco , grafite and resonable length. Polished and quite suave in style , more intensity and density than the others , more generous too. Probably better in 5 years and will last well a further 10. Guessed Mouton on this one . — 4 months ago
Light fruity aroma, dark red, medium body, dry and succulent, dark fruit flavor, paired nicely with venison. — 6 months ago
Bardia Khoshnoodi
Intense but bright up front. Floral notes with a bit of chocolate. Smooth finish but a bit dry. Overall this is an excellent wine! — 3 days ago