1999 Joseph Phelps Insignia, Napa Valley

Quantity Available0 in stock
Vintage1999
VarietalBordeaux Blend, Proprietary Blend
Bottle Size750ml
StyleRed
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
Bottle ConditionNormal

$250.00

Out of stock

Description

Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia, Napa Valley, USA 1999 (750ml)

ST
95
VINOUS
Deep bright ruby. Captivating nose combines blackcurrant, crushed-rock minerality, licorice and violet, complemented by notes of cocoa powder, leather and earth. Densely packed and seriously concentrated, showing an almost chocolatey ripeness that's leavened by integrated acidity. Flavors of dark berries, minerals and flowers saturate the palate and spread out on the very suave, subtly long aftertaste. There's no easy sweetness here but the wine's noble tannins and considerable finesse give it great appeal today. This beautiful blend should go on for many more years on its extract and balance.
RP
91
Robert Parker
The 1999 possesses a healthy deep ruby/purple color along with an open-knit, sweet, candied nose of red and black currants, loamy soil, underbrush and forest floor as well as a touch of oak. This medium-bodied, fresh, lively Insignia exhibits tell-tale acids with much of its tannin already resolved. It is an outstanding Insignia, but not one of the estate's legendary efforts. It should keep for ten more years.

I was in the minority thinking the 1999 vintage was good rather than special. The weather consisted of a mild summer, with a serious heat spike in July, and a relatively long hang-time that resulted in grapes with high acids as well as powerful tannins. The latter two issues have always concerned me, making me wonder if the fruit would crack and fade away before the tannins melted. A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc (79% from estate vineyards and 21% from growers), 15,000 cases were produced and the alcohol reached 14%.
WS
91
WINE SPECTATOR
Complex, with mature herb, dried currant, fresh earth and sage flavors that are focused and concentrated, gaining depth and complexity from midpalate on and then firming up and ending with chewy tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.—1999 California Cabernet blind retrospective (2009).
Taste Profile
Red Fruit
Black Fruit
Spice
Earth
Oak
Fruit
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
Alcohol
Color
Purple
Best Pairing
Asian
Beef
Pork

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