Joseph Phelps Vineyards

2008 Insignia
 

2008 Insignia

Publication The Wine Advocate
Author Antonio Galloni
Volume Issue #198
Date December 23, 2011
Award 97 Points
Review The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Insignia is a towering, statuesque wine bursting with blackberry jam, tar, spices, leather and licorice. It shows fabulous depth and richness backed up by serious, imposing tannins that suggest it has a long life.
Publication The Wine Spectator Insider
Author James Laube
Date August 31, 2011
Award 94 Points
Review Dense and chewy... the glimpses of fruit offer tight mineral, crushed rock, graphite, dried currant, cedar and anise. Full-bodied... this needs time, but should provide years of rewarding drinking. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Best from 2014 through 2026.
Publication JamesSuckling.com
Author James Suckling
Date January 7, 2011
Award 96 Points
Review I really like the mint and floral notes on the nose that opens up to dark fruits. Full-bodied and rich, with plums, berries, and currants. This starts off slow, then takes off with a bang. A stylish wine with wonderful potential. This will be bottled in January 2011.
Publication Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine
Volume December 2011
Award 95 Points, 3 Stars
Review Once again, Insignia takes its accustomed place near the very head of the class, and, as usual, it is one of the most polished and well-balanced Cabernets to be had. That is not to say that it in any way lacks for authority, richness or size, for it is an intense and impressively filled wine, and it vies for top honors in a vintage that has provided more than a few noteworthy wines. It drives home the point that big wines can be wonderfully balanced, and, while delicious even now, it will not reach its peak for a good many years to come.
Publication The Wine Enthusiast
Author Steve Heimoff
Date December 31, 2011
Award 93 Points & Cellar Selection
Review A glamorous wine, rich and complex, with lots going on. With rich blackberry and cassis flavors wrapped into thick tannins and fine new oak sweetness... Give it a rest until 2015. Cellar Selection.
Publication The Press Democrat
Author Peg Melnik
Date August 22, 2011
Review Floral with flavors of blueberry, cassis and spice. Great acidity. Firm tannins. The Ferrari of wine.