Joseph Phelps "Insignia" Napa Valley Proprietary Red 2023

Jeb Dunnuck : 99 Points

(9/12/2024) Including a splash of Backus Vineyard (8%), the 2023 Insignia is based on 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, aged 21 months in 100% new French oak. Inky purple-hued, it offers a pure, classic, focused perfume of crème de cassis, melted crayon, lead pencil, violets, and white flower notes. It's full-bodied and has the vintage's pure, focused, incredibly elegant style, with ripe tannins and a great finish. I love everything about this wine, which is pure, balanced, layered, and multi-dimensional. It can be drunk today with incredible pleasure yet should hit maturity in a decade and keep for 30 years thereafter. There are roughly 12,300 cases produced. Drink 2025-2055.

The Wine Palate : 99 Points

(5/2026) Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2023 Insignia shimmies out with energetic notes of freshly crushed black and red currants, wild blueberries, and black raspberries, leading to hints of red roses, pencil shavings, and fertile loam. The full-bodied palate is elegantly styled with bright, vivacious black, red, and blue fruit layers, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and perfumed. The blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Drinking Window: 2028 - 2060.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni : 98 Points

(10/2026) The 2023 Insignia is the first vintage made by Winemaker Ryan Knoth. It captures all the freshness and energy of this cool, late-ripening vintage, along with a new emphasis on vibrancy that is now a focus at Joseph Phelps. Vineyard sites are Yountville, Banca Dorada, Las Rocas, Barboza, Suscol and Home Ranch, plus a dollop of fruit from Backus, an estate site that had not been used in the blend for many years. Malbec was excluded, as it did not ripen ideally. Harvest stretched into November, another anomaly. Most importantly, Knoth reduced time in barrel to 20 months and also lowered toast levels, choices that exalt freshness. Drinking Window: 2033 - 2053.

International Wine Report : 98 Points

(3/2026) The 2023 Insignia is a stand out in this vintage. It opens with an intricate bouquet of ripe black currant, blackberry, and blueberry, layered with notes of violet, graphite, mocha, fresh herbs, mint, cigar box, and hints of gravel. On the palate, it delivers a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel supported by finely integrated, polished tannins that lend a velvety, refined texture. The wine shows remarkable balance and depth, with waves of dark fruit, cocoa, and spice unfolding gracefully. The finish is long and elegant, leaving a lasting impression of harmony and concentration. While already captivating, the 2023 Insignia clearly possesses the structure and pedigree to evolve beautifully over many years. Drink 2026 - 2048.