Descripción

El emblema de la bodega californiana, como claramente apunta su nombre, es uno de los tintos de referencia de Napa Valley. Icono que según el crítico James Suckling en esta añada, de las mejores de su historia, muestra un estilo clásico apuntalado en la profundidad, la elegancia y la finura. Aunque ya puede disfrutarse, se le augura una evolución maravillosa que recompensará con creces a los más pacientes.

Ficha técnica

La bodega
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Tipo
Tinto
Añada
2018
Grado
14.5% vol.
Variedad
87% Cabernet sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet franc
Origen
Napa Valley

Cata

Nariz
Destacan aromas florales, de frutos negros, anís y caja de cigarros muy perfumados.
Boca
Vino profundo, elegante y delicado, con buena frescura y una textura cremosa y capas de mora, moca y cereza negra. Su estructura se forja en equilibrados taninos antesala de un final prolongado y edificante.
Temperatura de servicio
Se recomienda servir a 16 °C.
Consumo
Hasta 2044, aproximadamente, si se conserva en óptimas condiciones.
Maridaje
Ideal con bistecs y chuletas a la parrilla, ternera estofada o guisos contundentes.

Viñedo y elaboración

Descripción
Selección de viñedos propiedad de la bodega, concretamente el 30% de ellos procede de Las Rocas (en Stags Leap District), el 18% de Yountville (Oak Knoll District), el 18% de Suscol (Napa Valley), el 14% de Home Ranch (St. Helena), el 13% de Banca Dorada (Rutherford), y 7% Barboza (Stags Leap District).
Clima
El ciclo correspondiente a la añada 2018 estuvo marcado en Napa Valley por un tiempo templado y fresco. La primavera, más fría de lo normal, retrasó respecto a años anteriores tanto la brotación, como la floración y el envero. Agosto y septiembre resultaron más templados lo que posibilitó que la cosecha pudiera prolongarse propiciando una cosecha de fruta con la madurez requerida, más compleja y de calidad excepcional.
Envejecimiento
Crianza de 24 meses en barricas de roble francés al 100%.

Opinión de los críticos

James Suckling:

Blackberry and black chocolate with mint, conifer and clove. Sweet tobacco, violets and flowers, too. Some graphite. Cool and complex. Full-bodied with ultra fine, dusty tannins and a wonderful, extremely long finish. Savory and refined. A classic-styled 2018. This needs time, but is so approachable and gorgeous. One of the best Insignias ever. Alive and changing all the time. 40% Stags Leap AVA. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% petit verdot, 3% malbec and 2% cabernet franc. Leave this for five or six years, but so wonderful now.

Falstaff:

Dark ruby, purple reflections. Fine, somewhat restrained wild berry confit, delicate raspberry and cherry aromas, fresh orange zest, attractive bouquet, a hint of cassis in the background. Complex, full-bodied, highly elegant, sweet cherry fruit, integrated tannins, fine nougat on the finish, great length, mineral in the finish, certain ageing potential for decades. PM.

Wine Enthusiast:

This impressive blend combines 87% Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc, aging the whole for 24 months in 100% new French oak. Elements of cedar, sage, dried herb and underbrush meet rich red fruit and chalky tannins, with a dusting of cocoa throughout. Enjoy from 2028–2038. Virginie Boone.

Jeb Dunnuck:

The 2018 Insignia checks in as 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and the rest Cabernet Franc, from a mix of vineyards (mostly in the southern part of the valley) aged two years in new French oak. It has an incredible bouquet of cassis, currants, dark chocolate, lead pencil, and tobacco, and while it's unquestionably Napa, it has a regal, structured, almost Bordeaux-like vibe as well. Full-bodied, perfectly balanced, and layered on the palate, with silky tannins, this quintessential Insignia is up with the finest vintages of this cuvée I've tasted and is in the same realm as the 1997 (the first vintage I bought for my personal cellar), 2001, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016. 17,000 cases.

The Wine Advocate:

The 2018 Insignia is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard sources this year include: 30% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District),18% Yountville (Oak Knoll District), 13% Banca Dorada (Rutherford), 18% Suscol (South Napa Valley), 14% Home Ranch (St. Helena), 12% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District), 7% Barboza (Stags Leap District). It was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes storming out of the glass with powerful notes of blackcurrant cordial, stewed black plums and boysenberries, plus hints of cedar chest, graphite, menthol and wet slate with a fragrant waft of clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate already demonstrates remarkable balance at this youthful stage, featuring a firm backbone of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the tightly wound, crunchy black fruits, finishing long and spicy. 17,000 cases were made.

Decanter:

This shows the excellence of the 2018 vintage in Napa made by seasoned winemaker Ashley Hepworth who, this year, celebrates 23 years at Joseph Phelps. The wine opens with a seductive, fruity and generous nose followed by a mass of concentrated blackberry flavours edged with creamy coffee and caramel tones. Instantly mouthwatering then there comes a kick of power with spice and black pepper surrounding the tongues and cheeks. Needs some time to integrate but this is a fine example of Cabernet with freshness, poise and power. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc from estate-grown Napa Valley vineyards: 30% Las Rocas Vineyard (Stags Leap District), 18% Suscol Vineyard (South Napa Valley), 18% Yountville Vineyard (Oak Knoll District), 14% Home Ranch Vineyard (St. Helena), 13% Banca Dorada Vineyard (Rutherford), and 7% Barboza Vineyard (Stags Leap District). Wines were aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak.