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Vince L463 , coffeemuse

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Average Retail:
 $210.00 Details
W.Searcher Avg.: $210.00
W.Searcher Low: $179.00
W.Searcher High: $251.00
Avg Auction:
(of 16 listings - 24 months ) $164.80 Details
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Avg Marketplace:
(of 2 listings - last 12 months) $169.97Details
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1995 Joseph Phelps - Insignia Bordeaux Blend - USA - California - Napa - Napa Valley - Red

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1995 Joseph Phelps - Insignia
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USA - California - Napa - Napa Valley

Red Bordeaux Blend
Producer Notes

Since its founding in 1972, Joseph Phelps Vineyards has been on the cutting edge of many California wine developments. From the Bordeaux-blend Insignia, first made in 1974 and Wine Spectator's wine of the year for the 2002 vintage; to the resurrection of California Syrah, also first produced in 1974, the winery has earned critical acclaim for its many estate-grown wines.
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Score
95
WS 94
JR 16.5
WA 97
IWC 94
Drink Dates
Comm: 2008-2016 WA: 1998-2023 WS: 2005-2015
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Professional Reviews

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IWC 94
Source International Wine Cellar
Issue Issue 81

Deep ruby-red. Exhilarating, vibrant aromas of cassis, minerals, cocoa powder and brown spices. Juicy, very intensely flavored and sharply delineated; offers lovely restrained sweetness and great finesse. Complex and light on its feet. Finishes bright and fine, with firm tannins and strong dark berry, tobacco and woodsmoke flavors. Remarkably subtle oak. Even better than it showed last winter.

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JR 16.5
Source Jancis Robinson
Drink Dates 2003-2008

Exceedingly ripe flavours on the nose suggest this wine might lack structure but on the palate all is pulled together so tightly that the wine is not yet a pleasure to drink.

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WA 97
Source Wine Advocate
Issue 120
Drink Dates 1998-2023

The 1995 Insignia may be slightly better than the 1994 - as hard as that is to believe. The final blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot. The 1995 exhibits a character similar to the 1994 - cassis, fruitcake, cedar, herbs, coffee, and black fruits intermixed with smoke - but the 1995 is slightly longer in the mouth. It is a wine of extraordinary extraction, full body, and marvelously pure fruit. Moreover, it has managed to soak up the 100% new oak aging, leaving only subtle pain grille notes. The tannin may be slightly more noticeable in the 1994, but my instincts suggest the 1995 is even richer and longer than the 1994 - as amazing as that sounds. This prodigious Insignia should be at its best over the next 20-25 years.

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WS 94
Source Wine Spectator
Issue Web
Drink Dates 2005-2015

Very Bordeaux-like in its complex cedar, currant and anise aromas. Firm, concentrated and still quite tannic, it is bold and rich, with layers of currant, plum, mineral, cedar and tobacco flavors, many of which are still in their youthful primary stage. While it is certainly approachable (best decanted) it appears to have the concentration and stuffing to go another decade. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. 10,000 cases made.

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Community Tasting Notes average score of 95 points based upon 15 reviews

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92
Author Jeffrey M989
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 96.99%
Tasted On 04/24/2013

Good to very good. The fruit has died down, but still had that distinctive Insignia flavor profile. Balanced and a pleasure to drink.

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Jlc1283 97
Author Jlc1283
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 100%
Tasted On 11/07/2012
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taipanli 94
Author taipanli
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 98.214%
Tasted On 10/28/2012

Typical Insignia. Balance, integration, fruit forward, classy. Less acidity and seemingly softer than the 94. Drinking very nicely but longevity may be in question. 50+8+9+19+8=94

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KMS 93
Author KMS
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 98.571%
Tasted On 12/28/2011
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94
Author Scooter
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 98.079%
Tasted On 10/17/2011

Drinking beautifully with probably 3 more good years

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96
Author William T347
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 90.931%
Tasted On 04/19/2011

A great wine. The years have worked their magic. Had a half dozen bottles of this vintage and wish I had more.

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MikeA
Author MikeA
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 100%
Tasted On 12/24/2010

Perfectly aged Napa beauty. Going strong with great fruit on the initial taste and an amazing, earthy finish. Great integration of earth, wood, and fruit. Delicious!

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92
Author Oenodoc
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 98.936%
Tasted On 11/21/2010
Drink Dates

Classic, rich Insignia although I think this wine or this bottle may have been peaking. Lots of fruit, vanilla, subtle oak, raspberry. A great bottle of wine

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97
Author Khaled H
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 98.592%
Tasted On 09/11/2010

Clar, translucent, dark Purple color. At first, the wine whiffed of earthiness, the fruits exploded from the glass. The oak seems to have disappeared inside the fruit. Mouutfilling dark berries, cassis, and coffee flavors. Very long finish. The complexity of the wine impressed everyone. The wine still seems to have many years ahead of it.

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Adriel L 97
Author Adriel L
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 97.722%
Tasted On 08/13/2010

Spectacular. Definitely drinking well at this time. Som at Ritz in Half Moon Bay was beside himself. Luck played a part in choosing this wine to drink tonight. I won't question that.

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Conrad K 95
Author Conrad K
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 99.512%
Tasted On 07/03/2010
Drink Dates 2000-2015

Delicious, plum fruit, tobacco and casis on the mid palate. Long finish. Needs plenty of air and has a long way to go.

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93
Author Donald Vinfolio
Site / Blog   Trust Rating
Tasted On 10/10/2009
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94
Author StuTarheel
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 99.398%
Tasted On 10/05/2009
Drink Dates 2009-2021

Still youthful. Great concentration of ripe blackberries, blueberries and dark fruit. Sweet tannins still noticeable. Nice mid-palate with a lingering finish. Still has time in the bottle to really show its stuff.

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Author Kopelman Vincellar
Site / Blog   Trust Rating
Tasted On 12/25/2008

christmas

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Daniel B 91
Author Daniel B
Site / Blog   Trust Rating 99.364%
Tasted On 05/01/2005
Drink Dates 2007-2017

A very youthful translucent dark red color. Thick legs with light to moderate pigmentation. Candied cherry, some eucalyptus, and oak scents. Tannins are drying and slightly excessive. Very good acidity and fruit concentration. A fine wine but perhaps too much of a Bordeaux pretender than a proud Californian. 90% Cabernet; 7% Merlot; 3% Petite Verdot. Tasted from magnum.

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