2023 Joseph Phelps - Meritage Insignia (750ml)
Joseph Phelps Vineyards began in 1973, when Colorado builder Joe Phelps bought a former cattle ranch near St. Helena. The following year he introduced Insignia, widely regarded as California’s first proprietary Bordeaux-style red blend, built on the idea of combining the best lots of each vintage. Since 2004 it has been made entirely from estate fruit. The 2023 release is the first under winemaker Ryan Knoth and the first since Moët Hennessy acquired the winery in 2022.
The 2023 Joseph Phelps Insignia is a Napa Valley red blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, drawn from seven estate vineyards stretching from Oak Knoll to St. Helena. The season followed record winter rainfall and became one of the coolest, longest in more than a decade, with harvest running 10 to 14 days later than average. The wine then matured about 20 months in 100% new French oak.
Aromas of blackberry, ripe plum and blackcurrant unfold alongside sweet tobacco, cigar box, powdered cocoa and mineral graphite, with delicate floral tones in the background. Full-bodied and impeccably structured, the palate carries vibrant acidity and firm yet supple tannins. The finish is long and elegant, offering freshness for early enjoyment and the framework for graceful cellaring.