Joseph Phelps 'Insignia' 2001

Introduction

Joseph Phelps 'Insignia' 2001 is a legendary Bordeaux-style red blend from the Napa Valley, California. Founded in 1973 by Joe Phelps, the winery pioneered the concept of a proprietary blend in California, with the inaugural Insignia vintage released in 1974. The 2001 vintage holds historical significance as the first to exclude Merlot and the last for a decade to be made without Cabernet Franc, relying instead on a precise combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.

Wine Description

This vintage presents a dense purple colour and a sophisticated, multi-dimensional sensory profile. The bouquet is intense and sweet, featuring aromas of blackberries, cassis, and black cherry jam, layered with complex notes of cedar, charcoal, camphor, incense, and tobacco leaf. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and continuous, offering incredible concentration and a skyscraper-like texture. It displays flavours of ripe plum and blackberry, balanced by hints of mocha, chocolate, and graphite. The blend consists of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, and 3% Malbec, aged for 23 months in 100% new French oak. While reaching a plateau of maturity, this wine remains remarkably vibrant and is expected to age effortlessly through 2038–2040.

Accolades

• Wine Advocate (Robert Parker) - 98+ points

• Jeb Dunnuck - 98 points

• James Suckling - 97 points

• Wine Enthusiast - 96 points

• Vinous (Stephen Tanzer) - 95+ points