Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 750mL

The growing season in 2006 started slowly with bud break two weeks behind the historical average. The season began with an abundance of moisture in the soil from the winter rains and the weather was fairly cool with a significant amount of cloud cover and periodic rain showers during the spring. April brought five inches of rain. Bloom dates in 2006 were behind the average by one week yet conditions were excellent, yielding good fruit set. There was a record setting 10 day heat wave near the end of July. Most blocks had an exceptionally long veraison period beginning in early August, particularly in the Petit Verdot and Merlot. This may have been an effect caused by the extreme temperatures in July during berry formation. During veraison we anticipated the forecasted cooler autumn and took this time to adjust the crop; green harvesting was implemented to ensure ripening was more even. Grapes were harvested between October 7-27, 2006 at an average 24.5° Brix and fermented in stainless steel tanks.

Grape Varietals:

95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes:

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. The dense flavors and balanced tannins integrate beautifully for a long, layered finish.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, "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."

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast, "This is so strong and fruity, so oaky, so tannic, it just overwhelms the palate in its extreme youth. Just massive in blackberries, black currants, coffee, cocoa, dried herbs and 100% new, smoky-sweet French oak."