Robert Parker, Jr.-The Wine Advocate:  Rated as An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character... "+"!  "The 2006 Insignia (95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot; 16,000 cases produced) is a superb effort in this vintage. Another 30+ year wine, it boasts a dense plum/purple color as well as abundant notes of licorice, black currants, charcoal, black olives, and graphite. Full-bodied, pure, and rich with moderately high tannins, it represents a California version of a Bordeaux from Pauillac or St.-Julien. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2045.
In case you think the aging curves I have described are unrealistically long, I have the Joseph Phelps regular Cabernets from the mid-seventies as well as the Insignias in my cellar, and those wines are still drinking beautifully at 30+ years of age. Today’s wines are better made." Dec 2009

Winery:  "The opaque, inky color of the 2006 Insignia is followed by concentrated aromatics of lush black fruit, graphite, coffee, dark cocoa powder, licorice, and cola syrup. The dense flavors and balanced tannins integrate beautifully for a long, layered finish."

Wired For Wine:  Practice your curtsies and bows, again, winelovers, because we are putting you back in the room with red wine royalty! The 2006 Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Blend is masterfully and intricately layered with opulent flavors ranging from lush, dark fruit to earthy olive and coffee notes and licorice. Now add pedigreed, intense tannins and dense, full body and everything comes together to bang loudly on the door of perfection. This remarkable Joseph Phelps is approachable now, but we say make it a twinkling gem in your cellar which enhances an important celebration in the future (see Parker's homage to the longevity of this wine above).  Your choice... Because it's a half bottle, you can line up a meal with memorable wine pairings which your guests will not soon forget.  When that day does come, we think that the gorgeous fruit and 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 rich purity of this Phelps red is such that you might just want say hello to that first glass without the distraction of food. If you prefer to offer it with the entree, we think you'll need robust, hearty fare for 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 reputation of this Phelps. If it's the dessert table which will be graced by Insignia presence, we say serve it with a wedge of dark chocolate ganache tart with a salted pretzel crust. Ridiculously, unforgettably, royally, crazy good!!

Size:  750ml; cork
Varietal:  95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot
Alcohol:  14.5%
Ageing:  24 months in 100% new French oak barrels from coopers Taransaud, Dargaud Jaegle, Nadalie, Demptos, Marcel Cadet and Sylvain
Region:  Napa Valley, California