Joseph Phelps
About Joseph Phelps
Joseph Phelps is one of Napa Valley’s most prominent and best known producers. Establishing his winery ed in 1973, Phelps conceived an idea to create a separate cuvée each year, one that would represent the finest wine he could make without any limitation on grape varietals or site selection. So without realising its significance, in 1974 he created and launched the first Napa ‘proprietary red’ - called Joseph Phelps ‘Insignia’. This moment of inspiration has spawned countless emulations – and today ‘proprietary reds’ are the stable expression of most of the top Napa estates.
Joseph Phelps remains one of the few family-run wineries in Napa, encompassing nine estate vineyards. ‘Insignia’ remains the estate’s flagship and the ultimate expression of what these vineyards can produce.
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Vinous (97)
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is a total turn-on. Deep, plush and exotic, the 2013 is also remarkably polished for a wine of its considerable size. There is a real sense of depth and gravitas that runs through the 2013. I would prefer to cellar the 2013 for at least a few years to allow the intense, dark fruit to be at its most expressive.Inc. TAX€1,715.94 -
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.Inc. TAX€1,562.95
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Vinous (97)
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is a total turn-on. Deep, plush and exotic, the 2013 is also remarkably polished for a wine of its considerable size. There is a real sense of depth and gravitas that runs through the 2013. I would prefer to cellar the 2013 for at least a few years to allow the intense, dark fruit to be at its most expressive.In Bond€1,415.00 -
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.In Bond€1,290.00