The 2008 Phelps Insignia Proprietary Red 750ml is from the Napa Valley region of California.
The 2008 reveals an opaque purple color in addition to blueberry and blackberry fruit notes intermixed with incense and violets. Barely approaching adolescence, it is still a grapy, primary, full-bodied beauty that will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring. It should drink well for 20-25 years. The weather in May was unusually hot, and the grape bunches seemed relatively irregular and loose, with lighter than normal clusters. However, this proved to be an advantage with good air flow promoted by the loose clusters. The summer was warm, but never terribly hot, and the Indian Summer Napa enjoyed allowed for a stress-free harvest. The 2008 (16,650 cases produced), which achieved 14.7% natural alcohol, is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot, all from estate fruit.- Robert Parker Jr. (11/2013)
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. 16,650 cases made. — JL (11/2011)
(just bottled): Full medium ruby. Black fruits, minerals, licorice, tar, menthol and sweet oak on the nose. Sweet and creamy on entry, then quite penetrating and tight in the mid-palate, showing a medicinal reserve for the vintage. A backward and rather powerful Insignia with the structure to require, and reward, considerable aging. This was a good quantity year for this flagship bottling, with about 16,000 cases produced.- Stephen Tanzer (05/2011)
Producer: Joseph Phelps
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: Proprietary Red
Country: USA
Region: CA - North Coast (Napa,Sonoma)
Sub-Region: Napa
Appellation: Napa Valley
Sub-Appellation:
SKU: #
.
