Joseph Phelps
About Joseph Phelps
Joseph Phelps is one of Napa Valley’s most prominent and best known producers. Establishing his winery ed in 1973, Phelps conceived an idea to create a separate cuvée each year, one that would represent the finest wine he could make without any limitation on grape varietals or site selection. So without realising its significance, in 1974 he created and launched the first Napa ‘proprietary red’ - called Joseph Phelps ‘Insignia’. This moment of inspiration has spawned countless emulations – and today ‘proprietary reds’ are the stable expression of most of the top Napa estates.
Joseph Phelps remains one of the few family-run wineries in Napa, encompassing nine estate vineyards. ‘Insignia’ remains the estate’s flagship and the ultimate expression of what these vineyards can produce.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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California | 1 | 95 (JS) | HK$4,200.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)Very aromatic with blueberries and blackcurrants, as well as red licorice. Floral, too. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and lightly chewy. Lovely depth of fruit here. Rich and flavorful. Extremely well done for the vintage. Shows more finesse and tightness than 2016. Very classic. One-third of the production. Try it. Drink after 2022, but already delicious. |
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California | 1 | 98+ (WA) | HK$13,000.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (98+)The 2013 Insignia (their 40th vintage) is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This wine is aged 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels, and the production can vary from just over 10,000 cases to nearly 20,000 cases in a very abundant vintage. There were 12,300 cases produced in 2013, and this vintage of Insignia is certainly going to turn out to be one of the great ones. The wine offers a stunning inky blue/purple color, a gorgeous nose of blueberry and blackberry liqueur, pen ink, graphite, new saddle leather and barrique. The wine has fabulous concentration, a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel, and tremendous finish with moderate tannin. It’s interesting to note that the Phelps winemaking staff had been gradually reducing the amount of Merlot in this wine over recent vintages. The 2013 should hit its peak in 5-7 years and last for 35-50. |