Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Established in 1972 by Joe Phelps, a former construction magnate, Joseph Phelps Vineyards now owns and farms over 350 acres of prime Napa Valley terroir. Their vineyard holdings cover some of the leading AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in the Napa, from the 120 acres planted to vine on their St Helena ranch to vineyards in Rutherford, Stags Leap and Oakville, as well as Yountville and South Napa, all of which are renowned for the quality of their Cabernet Sauvignon. We have visited the Phelps team on a number of occasions and are always impressed by the constant activity and innovation in the winery and vineyards.
Click here for a location map showing Joseph Phelps Vineyards and sister winery Freestone Vineyards (2MB)
In terms of climate and soils, the Napa Valley is something of a patchwork quilt, with complex soil profiles to rival many a traditional old world region, and temperature variations to match. The best Cabernet producing areas are to be found at the cooler Southern end of the valley, where the vineyards are refreshed by cool air being drawn up from the coast by convection. Here, the temperatures can be anything up to 7oC cooler than in the north of the valley and, with their long growing season, the result is consistently ripe, rounded tannins with great depth of flavour.
In 1978 Joseph Phelps released a new wine, Insignia 1974, a blend of the traditional Bordeaux grapes. This was groundbreaking stuff, as up until this point Californian wines had generally been released either as varietals (Merlot, Chardonnay, etc) or as style brands (such as the somewhat erroneous Red Chablis) so it was highly unusual to release a wine which did not immediately declare its style.
“At times, Joseph Phelps Vineyards is so low profile that it hardly stands out, despite its status as a premier Napa Valley producer. This reticence is a reflection of the owner's personality and style: Joe Phelps is shy and introspective, preferring to let his deeds and wines speak for themselves. ...He prefers that his wines win the accolades... He moved to Napa in the early 1970s, and today presides over one of California's greatest wineries, which routinely produces monumental wines.”
James Laube, Wine Spectator
The current vintage available in the UK is 2005. Due to its tiny production, Insignia cannot be bought on-line but please do call us on 01353 721 999 for availability and current pricing.
The 2008 Vintage
2008 in Napa started off dry for the second year running, bringing with it the prospect of a water shortage for the growing season, and the spring was long and cold, resulting in a delayed budburst. During May and the flowering time there was an unseasonal spike in temperatures which resulted in flowers not setting in some of the Cabernet bunches. This led to looser formed bunches than usual which allowed improved air flow between the individual grapes, all the better for the health of the fruit. The summer was consistently hot with the overall heat statistics showing that it was 7% hotter than the 19 year average in September, and a staggering 17% hotter in October. Harvesting for Insignia ran from 8th September right through until 24th October, and this is another vintage which has received considerable acclaim from the American critics.
The Wines - please call 01353 721 999 for pricing and availability
Joseph Phelps Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Intense deep red black in colour right to the rim with a wildly fruited nose of crunchy Cabernet fruit, intensely tarry with strong graphite/lead pencil notes and a hint of brush. Dense and sweet on the palate, very classic Cabernet with velvety black fruits, rich, powerful with hints of mocha going to a long, evolving finish. Wow, what an explosive mouthful! From 2014
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2008 (Robert Parker 95-97/100)
Dense, dense purple black right to the rim, opaque. Tight, rich black fruit on the nose, deep, tarry and almost impenetrable with alluring musky notes. On the palate very intense with plummy black fruits, tarry and distant spiced notes, with substantial ripe tannins almost verging on austerity but paradoxically rich and generous behind, layered with mineral notes and a long, sustained finish. A powerhouse of sensations. From 2017
Press Comment:
Insignia is one of the highest scoring wines in the world. For a PDF of Robert Parker scores going back to the 1974 vintage please click here
Insignia 2008
"2008 INSIGNIA PROPRIETARY RED WINE NAPA (97 Points)
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Insignia [97 points] 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. Ideally, the 2008 should be purchased by those who can be patient; it is not a wine for those seeking immediate gratification." -Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, December 2011"Insignia Napa Valley 2008, 94 points | $225 | 16,650 cases made | Red
Dense and chewy, this is very tight and closed, but the glimpses of fruit offer tight mineral, crushed rock, graphite, dried currant, cedar and anise. Full-bodied and way too young to drink now, this needs time, but should provide years of rewarding drinking. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Best from 2014 through 2026.—J.L." - Wine Spectator Insider, August 31st 2011"2008 INSIGNIA PROPRIETARY RED WINE NAPA (95-97)
The color is an inky/purple and the wine shows lots of cassis, blueberry, graphite and floral notes, good acidity, stunning concentration and purity, and a long finish. Another great success for Phelps, the 2007 and 2008 Insignias may be the best back-to-back vintages they have produced since 1995 and 1994."
Robert Parker, 23rd December 2010"2008 JOSEPH PHELPS VINEYARDS INSIGNIA
What a wonderful wine here. The nose shows a fabulous combination of dark fruits, chocolate, spices and caramel. The palate is silky textured with lots of ripe yet beautiful fruit and super silky, tight tannins. This is a balanced wine with all the potential to age for decades. Score: 95". JAMESSUCKLING.COM June 2011
Insignia 2007
"JOSEPH PHELPS Insignia Napa Valley 2007, 96 points
Firm, intense and concentrated, massive yet well-proportioned, with a dense, focused core of graphite, dried currant, blackberry, black tea, forest floor and blueberry flavors. Full-blown, finishing with rich, layered tannins that beg for cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2013 through 2025. From California.—J.L." Wine Spectator Insider, August 2010
Insignia 2006
"The 2006 Insignia (95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot; 16,000 cases produced) is a superb effort in this vintage. Another 30+ year wine, it boasts a dense plum/purple color as well as abundant notes of licorice, black currants, charcoal, black olives, and graphite. Full-bodied, pure and rich with moderately high tannins, it represents a California version of a Bordeaux from Pauillac or St. Julien. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2045. 95+ points.
“In case you think the aging curves I have described are unrealistically long, I have the Joseph Phelps regular Cabernets from the mid-seventies as well as the Insignias in my cellar, and those wines are still drinking beautifully at 30 years of age. Today's wines are better made.” Robert Parker
"The price of this wine may deter some wine lovers, but we have always found it at the very top of the score sheet when the pencils are laid down. The proof of the pudding is in the structure, balance and food compatibility, but the details of aroma and flavor are also classic and flawless. Look for aromas of dark plum, blackberry, baking spices and dark chocolate, leading to concentrated flavors of black fruits and sweet oak with notes of wild herbs, caramel and vanilla. Superb with steak." Northwest Wines, reviewed by Chuck Hill.
For marketing queries, please contact Laura Taylor on 01353 721 608 or at laura@privatecellar.co.uk.
To find out more about the winery, please visit www.jpvwines.com.
How about the 2010 vintage? See Decanter's news article by clicking here.
