Joseph Phelps Insignia 2018

Insignia is the flagship of Joseph Phelps in Napa Valley, conceived as a blend selected from the estate's best fruit rather than tied to a single grape. This vintage is led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. The fruit is drawn from Napa Valley, whose warm, dry climate ripens the Cabernet fully while its well-drained hillside and bench soils give the deep colour and firm tannin the blend needs to age, cool nights holding the acidity in place. The wine is aged 24 months in French oak barrels, a long elevage in which slow oxygen exchange resolves the firm tannins and layers in cocoa, vanilla and a savoury spice around the fruit. The colour is deep garnet-purple. The nose is powerful and intense, with blackcurrant, black plum and blackberry over red currant, cocoa and tobacco. The palate is full and refined, with ripe, structured tannin, good acidity and a long, layered finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant an hour or two ahead, or cellar for years. It is built for roast red meat.