Robert Parker, Jr.:  Rated as An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character - to - An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of its variety. Worth a special effort to find, purchase and consume. "The blend of the 2008 Insignia, 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot, is not terribly different from the 2007. However, I suspect the production will be a lot less given the frost damage in early spring. 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. The 2008 has some tannins to resolve whereas the 2007 has already assimilated them. It appears the 2008 will require 2-3 years of bottle age, but should last for three decades.

Joseph Phelps’ flagship wine, which they have been making for 36 years, is the Insignia, which boasts a remarkable track record. Phelps, always a visionary, was the first to recognize that a blend of grapes could be better than a single varietal cuvee." Dec 2010

Winery:  "The 2008 Insignia boasts aromatic layers of dark roasted coffee and graphite. The seductive mouth-feel has excellent length, intensely ripe black fruit, minerality and creaminess that tie together seamlessly on the palate."

Wired For Wine:  Practice your curtsies and bows, winelovers, because we are about to introduce you to red wine royalty! The 2008 Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Blend is masterfully and intricately layered with opulent flavors ranging from lush, dark fruit to minerals, good acidity and floral notes. Now add creaminess and "stunning concentration and purity" and everything comes together to bang loudly on the door of perfection.  The fact that it's in a magnum only makes it better... This remarkable Joseph Phelps will be approachable in its youth, but may also be a twinkling gem in your cellar which anchors an important celebration years from now. Your choice... When that day does come, we think that the gorgeous fruit and dark roasted coffee notes in this Insignia will be lovely with a first course of orrechiette pasta with grilled sweet sausage and sweet peppers with ricotta salata. Of course, the beautifully long finish is such that you might just want say hello to that first glass without the distraction of food. Once you've gotten acquainted, we think you'll need robust, hearty fare to go with this incredibly smooth Napa red. Lamb, beef, meat and game will be worthy pairings. A classic choice which will show off the staggeringly rich aromatics of this Cabernet blend would be thick cut lamb chops with rosemary, baby carrots, anchovy and fennel. We also recommend duck breast with spiced rhubarb, marcona almonds and duck confit. And finally, red wine braised short ribs with caramelized shallots and creamy polenta will pay homage to the serious pedigree of this Phelps. You won't want to stop there, so we suggest that you have another glass with a wedge of dark chocolate ganache tart with a salted pretzel crust. Ridiculously, unforgettably, royally, crazy good!!

Size:  1500ml; cork
Varietal:  89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot
Alcohol:  14.5%
Ageing:  24 months in 100% new French oak from coopers Taransaud, Dargaud Jaegle, Nadalie, Demptos and Sylvain
Region:  Napa Valley, California