★

4.46/5

3 pictures

Joseph Phelps Vineyards : Insignia 2022

Name: Joseph Phelps Vineyards : Insignia 2022
Brand: Joseph Phelps Vineyards
SKU: J1220/22
Price: 300 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.46 (140 reviews)

California

Napa Valley

- Red - See details

J. Suckling | 96

€1,800.00 Incl. VAT

(

€300.00 / Unit

)

Packaging : a case of 6 Bottles (75cl)

1 x 75CL

€302.00

6 x 75CL

€1,800.00

In-Stock

ALL VINTAGES OF THIS WINE

2021

2019

All Joseph Phelps Vineyards wines

Marks and reviews

/100

Robert Parker

Joe Czerwinski

There are 10,400 cases of the impressive 2022 Insignia, a wine that has been entirely estate-grown since 2004. In a vintage impacted by an extended Labor Day heat wave, nearly two-thirds of the production came from the more shaded west side of Napa Valley, with harvest extending from September 7 through October 5. Scents of new suede, baking spices, loam and ripe cherries mingle easily on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, expansive and velvety, becoming just a little bit more open-knit on the lengthy finish. While unlikely to be a long-lived, legendary Insignia, it's still a delicious, forward wine that should drink well for close to 20 years.

/100

Wine Spectator

James Molesworth

A plump red, with a frank note of mocha over a generous core of warmed black cherry fruit. Offers a roasted vanilla accent through the finish, where the fruit starts to fade, leaving a lumbering feel. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2027.

/100

Decanter

Valley sites that, in a warmer vintage like 2022, helped mitigate the extremes of heat. “The orientation of the vines at 34 degrees north, the cover crop management, and shade from afternoon sun all played a role,” explains Senior Director of Winemaking Ryan Knoth. Optical sorting was also key in removing desiccated or overripe berries. The base blend was assembled early, with Knoth focusing on tannin structure as the framework, aiming to shape the wine in the tradition of previous vintages. The result in 2022 is a beautifully structured and expressive wine. It opens with savory wild herb notes—spearmint, bay laurel, and high-toned cinnamon spice—lifted by elegant red florals. A core of crunchy red fruit delivers ripe density balanced by energy and tension. Cocoa powder tannins provide grip without heaviness, and the finish is exceptional in length, refined and savory. This is a poised and polished wine that confidently delivers the goods.

/100

Vinous

Antonio Galloni

The 2022 Insignia is dark, sumptuous and super expressive. Ripe black cherry, cedar, dried herbs, mint and lavender are all finely knit together. Most of the fruit in 2022 was from Banca Dorada and Las Rocas in Stags Leap, both cooler sites that fared better in this challenging vintage. Soft contours round things out in style.

Description

Characteristics and tasting advice for the 2021 Insignia from Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Tasting

Appearance
Magnificent deep carmine-red hue, captivating the eye with its intensity.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals scents of stewed black fruits and allspice. Rich nuances of cocoa and freshly roasted espresso add depth, while notes of Herbes de Provence and dried tobacco leaf bring a terroir-driven complexity.

Palate
On the palate, the wine reveals flavors of cardamom and nutmeg that complement its fruit-forward profile. The tannins are firm yet elegant, supporting a warm, savory finish that lingers pleasantly. Overall, it demonstrates exceptional balance and promising aging potential.

The character and balance of a great Californian red wine

The estate

Founded in 1973 by Joseph Phelps, Joseph Phelps Vineyards has become an essential reference for the great wines of Napa Valley and the Sonoma Coast in California. Joseph Phelps, a successful entrepreneur in the construction industry, gradually elevated the family estate to the ranks of the world’s most renowned wineries with its iconic cuvées.

The wine

In 1974, Joseph Phelps had the idea to create a special cuvée each year that embodies the best of the estate, regardless of the grape variety used. He named this wine “Insignia,” thereby allowing the blend to vary by vintage. The 1974 vintage, exceptional for Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stags Leap area, accounted for 94% of the final blend. Since 1977, the blend for this great Napa Valley wine has always contained at least 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. Over time, Joseph Phelps’s vision evolved, and Insignia became a classic of Californian wines, paying homage to the tradition of Bordeaux blends. For over 40 years, Joseph Phelps’s Insignia has been among the world’s greatest wines. It has been repeatedly lauded by the international press, achieving the top score of 100 points multiple times from Robert Parker Wine Advocate.

The vintage

The 2022 vintage began with mild weather and early budbreak between late March and early April. Until August, the climate remained sunny and temperate, followed by a heatwave in early September with temperatures well above average in Napa Valley. This warmth brought the white and red grape harvests closer together, which took place between September 9 and October 5. Careful vineyard management and precise fruit selection using optical sorters were crucial to ensuring excellent wine quality.

Winemaking and aging

The wine is aged for 24 months in French oak barrels (100% new).

Grape varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon (94%), Petit Verdot (4%), Cabernet Franc (2%) and Malbec (2%).