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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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California | 1 | 98+ (WA) | $1,430.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (98+)The 2013 Insignia (their 40th vintage) is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This wine is aged 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels, and the production can vary from just over 10,000 cases to nearly 20,000 cases in a very abundant vintage. There were 12,300 cases produced in 2013, and this vintage of Insignia is certainly going to turn out to be one of the great ones. The wine offers a stunning inky blue/purple color, a gorgeous nose of blueberry and blackberry liqueur, pen ink, graphite, new saddle leather and barrique. The wine has fabulous concentration, a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel, and tremendous finish with moderate tannin. It’s interesting to note that the Phelps winemaking staff had been gradually reducing the amount of Merlot in this wine over recent vintages. The 2013 should hit its peak in 5-7 years and last for 35-50. |
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California | 29 | 97 (VN (AG)) | $1,085.00 | |||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)The 2014 Insignia is in the zone today. Dark and expansive, it is a glorious wine. The 2014 shows the richer style of the year, along with the first signs of aromatic maturity. Espresso, leather, blueberry jam, cedar and tobacco all take shape in the glass. It's an ideal wine for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Today I find it just as compelling as always. |
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California | 1 | 97 (VN (AG)) | $1,225.00 | |||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)The 2014 Insignia is in the zone today. Dark and expansive, it is a glorious wine. The 2014 shows the richer style of the year, along with the first signs of aromatic maturity. Espresso, leather, blueberry jam, cedar and tobacco all take shape in the glass. It's an ideal wine for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Today I find it just as compelling as always. |
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California | 2 | 98 (WA) | $1,360.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 2015 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine is blended of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with stunning black and red plums, cassis and mulberries scents with loads of redcurrant sparks and compelling wafts of lilacs, pencil shavings, black olives and tilled soil plus a hint of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate explodes with red and black currant fireworks plus some exciting mineral nuances coming through, framed by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and beautifully layered. 12,400 cases produced. |
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California | 1 | 99 (WA) | $437.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (99)Bottled in January 2019, the 2016 Insignia is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is a little reticent to begin, needing a fair bit of coaxing to reveal beautifully beguiling notions of wild blueberries, warm blackberries, black currant cordial, cloves and cedar chest with nuances of camphor, yeast extract, charcuterie and candied violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has fantastic elegance and depth, revealing loads of subtle floral, black fruit and earthy layers with a firm, very finely grained texture and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length. 13,400 cases were made. |
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California | 1 | 99 (WA) | $1,260.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (99)Bottled in January 2019, the 2016 Insignia is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose is a little reticent to begin, needing a fair bit of coaxing to reveal beautifully beguiling notions of wild blueberries, warm blackberries, black currant cordial, cloves and cedar chest with nuances of camphor, yeast extract, charcuterie and candied violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has fantastic elegance and depth, revealing loads of subtle floral, black fruit and earthy layers with a firm, very finely grained texture and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length. 13,400 cases were made. |
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California | 1 | 96 (DC) | $1,380.00 | |||||
Decanter (96)This has a real sense of freshness and grip. A pure expression of Cabernet with a shot of eucalyptus and menthol, extremely concentrated but with elegance and power. The tannins just grip on to your palate and don't let go leading to a lovely chewy finish. This is great stuff, with a discernibly finessed style that shows a fine tannic balance magnified through the lens of Californian heat and laced through with cassis, espresso and chocolate block. Great structure, this will take a few decades of ageing in its stride. 100% new oak, from five vineyards around Napa Valley, mainly in Stags Leap and Oak Knoll. |
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California | 1 | 99 (JS) | $1,395.00 | |||||
James Suckling (99)Blackberry and black chocolate with mint, conifer and clove. Sweet tobacco, violets and flowers, too. Some graphite. Cool and complex. Full-bodied with ultra fine, dusty tannins and a wonderful, extremely long finish. Savory and refined. A classic-styled 2018. This needs time, but is so approachable and gorgeous. One of the best Insignias ever. Alive and changing all the time. 40% Stags Leap AVA. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% petit verdot, 3% malbec and 2% cabernet franc. Leave this for five or six years, but so wonderful now. |
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California | 1 | 99 (JS) | $1,305.00 | |||||
James Suckling (99)Blackberry and black chocolate with mint, conifer and clove. Sweet tobacco, violets and flowers, too. Some graphite. Cool and complex. Full-bodied with ultra fine, dusty tannins and a wonderful, extremely long finish. Savory and refined. A classic-styled 2018. This needs time, but is so approachable and gorgeous. One of the best Insignias ever. Alive and changing all the time. 40% Stags Leap AVA. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% petit verdot, 3% malbec and 2% cabernet franc. Leave this for five or six years, but so wonderful now. |
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California | 2 | 99 (JD) | $424.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (99)Another beautiful wine from this team, the 2019 Insignia is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon but includes smaller amounts of Merlot and Malbec, brought up all in new barrels, sourced from seven estate vineyards. It has a classic varietal and incredibly complex nose of crème de cassis, freshly sharpened pencils, green tobacco, and damp earth, with a kiss of background sappy spring flowers. Seemingly from a cooler year with its freshness, vibrancy, and herbal, floral character on the nose, it's nevertheless full-bodied and beautifully concentrated on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins, a seamless, layered mouthfeel, and a gorgeous finish. Unquestionably up with the finest vintages of this cuvée, this is legit awesome juice that’s going to offer incredible pleasure over the coming 20-25 years. Hats off to winemaker Ashley Hepworth. |
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California | 1 | 99 (JD) | $1,495.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (99)Another beautiful wine from this team, the 2019 Insignia is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon but includes smaller amounts of Merlot and Malbec, brought up all in new barrels, sourced from seven estate vineyards. It has a classic varietal and incredibly complex nose of crème de cassis, freshly sharpened pencils, green tobacco, and damp earth, with a kiss of background sappy spring flowers. Seemingly from a cooler year with its freshness, vibrancy, and herbal, floral character on the nose, it's nevertheless full-bodied and beautifully concentrated on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins, a seamless, layered mouthfeel, and a gorgeous finish. Unquestionably up with the finest vintages of this cuvée, this is legit awesome juice that’s going to offer incredible pleasure over the coming 20-25 years. Hats off to winemaker Ashley Hepworth. |
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Mendoza | 30 | 95 (VN) | $273.00 | |||||
Vinous (95)The 2021 Malbec Mai, crafted from vines in Vistalba, Luján de Cuyo, was aged for 18 months in barrel. This edition represents a stylistic shift, which is heightened by a vintage that lent nuance. The 2021 begins with cedar notes and quickly develops into fresh plum, white pepper and violet. Broad, creamy and concentrated, its velvety tannins capture the essence of Vistalba. |
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Mendoza | 30 | - | $74.00 | |||||
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The Kaiken Terroir Series Vistaflores Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Petit Verdot 2021 exemplifies the pinnacle of Mendoza’s esteemed winemaking tradition. Crafted by Kaiken, a renowned producer dedicated to expressing the unique characteristics of each terroir, this blend harmoniously combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot grapes sourced from the esteemed Vistaflores vineyard. Handpicked from high-altitude vines, the grapes benefit from optimal sun exposure and well-drained soils, imparting intense flavours and vibrant acidity. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, the wine undergoes a meticulous maceration process to extract deep colour and complex tannins. Aging takes place in French oak barrels for 12 months, enhancing the wine with subtle vanilla and spice notes while maintaining its elegant structure. On the palate, it reveals a rich tapestry of dark berries, cedar, and hints of tobacco, culminating in a long, refined finish. This 2021 vintage is a testament to Kaiken’s commitment to quality and the distinctiveness of the Vistaflores terroir. |
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Mendoza | 30 | 90 (JD) | $94.00 | |||||
Jeb Dunnuck (90)A red blend by Francis Mallmann, the 2021 Disobedience combines 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 20% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot. Perfumed aromatics of violet pave the way to a food-friendly palate of supple tannin and light structure. Age-worthy through 2033. |
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California | 3 | 96 (VN) | $565.00 | |||||
Vinous (96)Bright medium ruby. Alluring aromas of dark berries, licorice, lavender and violet. Wonderfully dense, spicy wine with an exhilarating sugar/acid balance giving definition to its dark berry, mineral and floral flavors. Offers outstanding thickness and depth of texture without any undue weight. Really echoes and rises on the long back end, with the noble tannins thoroughly integrated with the wine's fruit. This makes the Roberta's seem a bit ungiving, but I suspect that that wine will yet gain in pliancy. One of the handful of superstars of its vintage, from fruit picked between October 14 and 17, or almost a full month later than the Roberta's Merlot (September 18). (14.5% alcohol; 98% new French and 2% new Hungarian oak) |
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North America is somewhat difficult to pigeonhole – though technically ‘new world’, it is In the Northern Hemisphere, and the wines have the same devoted fan base (and often first-growth prices) as many classic European wines. Cooler climate Cabs, Merlots, Pinots, Chardonnays and Rieslings with old-world structure can all be found, though if anything is lacking by comparison it is consistency.
South America is an exciting new melting pot of styles and flavours with a range of soils types and altitudes – taking international varietals and finishing with French winemaking techniques, or in the case of Argentinian Malbec, adopting a largely unloved grape and making it their own.
