Phelps, Joseph - Insignia 2009

WEINWISSER: "83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot. 10.540 cases. Sehr dunkles Purpur-Schwarz-Rubin. Geballte Fruchtladung von Heidelbeeren und Cassis, untermalt von floralen Akzenten wie Flieder und Lilie, Lorbeer, schwarze Oliven, und kräuterigen Noten. Am Gaumen überaus charmant und sinnlich, mit köstlicher Cassisfrucht, einer schwingenden Säure, erdigen, steinigen Noten, feinsten und bestens integrierten, seidigen Tanninen. Hoch elegant und verspielt, facettenreich und komplex im faszinierend langen Finish. Was für eine Serie unterschiedlicher und jeweils großer Weine vom perfekten 2007er über den etwas kantigeren 2008er bis zum wollüstigen 2009er!"

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot, the deep garnet colored 2009 Insignia soars out of the glass with beautifully expressed cassis, baked plums and blackberry preserves scents plus nuances of rose hip tea, potpourri, cigar box, crushed rocks, raked leaves and tapenade. Medium to full-bodied, the tannins here are just incredible—soft, fine-grained, wonderfully knit—backed up with lovely freshness and all those fragrant black fruit flavors, finishing long and earthy."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Silky, polished, fleshy, rich, lush and full bodied, the wine is filled with layers of fat, juicy, ripe, fresh berries, licorice and chocolate. A few years of age will add a lot to this outstanding wine."

JAMES SUCKLING: " A solid core of fruit, with currants, minerals, fresh mint, and stones. Full bodied and chewy. The mid palate should fill in later."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Opaque ruby. Juicy, pure fruit with a luscious berry character. Scented spice from oak is quite apparent, but not overdone. Firm, ripe tannins give firm structure. A very good impression of Bordeaux, from the right bank, perhaps? (RH)"

WINE SPECTATOR: "Combines deep, ripe dark berry fruit with crushed rock, cedar and lead pencil notes, and the tannins have a green bitter edge. A step back in richness and complexity for Insignia, this is built for cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Best from 2014 through 2024. 10,540 cases made."