2013 Joseph Phelps Insignia, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

The 40th vintage of this classic Napa wine. It is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with cassis, graphite, cedar, slight chocolate and spice. Full bodied. Firm tannins. On the palate, this is still a bit tight but opens with some air. Delicious. Flavors of cassis, slight chocolate, spice and char. Long finish. This is close enough to maturity that there is no harm opening soon. Drink over the next twenty years. Great on its own, this is a great wine for a Steakhouse but also it would go well with Roasted Acorn Squash.

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2013

Current Price:

$230.00USD

Top Napa Cabernet Sauvignon - 2019 Tastings

The top Cabernet Sauvignon tasted and reviewed by Loren Sonkin in 2019.

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Top 50 California Cabernet Sauvignons to Try Before You Quit Drinking (a non-dump bucket list if you will!)

In putting together a list of the top California Cabernets, there is sure to be some disagreement. I tried to include those wines that have a track record, the wineries still making great wines, those that seemed to have the commitment for the future and some personal favorites. I am sure I left some out. 1. Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select – It’s always hard to name the number one wine. But this has a track record that’s very long. Even in less than stellar vintages, it is an outstanding wine. They just don’t seem to make a dud. My only complaint is the price at over $200 a bottle. But, in comparison to other Napa Cabs or elsewhere in the world, this is a fair price.

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2010 Joseph Phelps Insignia, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$225.00USD

One of the great classic Napa cabernets. It is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Petit Verdot and some Merlot and Malbec. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, graphite, slight cedar, dark chocolate and spice. Full bodied. Great texture. On the palate, this is delicious. Complex and layered. Cassis, earthiness, spices, minerality and chocolate. Long finish. This is still young but getting close to peak. That said, it should go another twenty years. Great on its own, this would work with Roasted meats, poultry and vegetables.

Top Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

California's Napa Valley is undoubtedly the most famous wine region in the United States. As you might expect from a California wine region, Napa exudes star quality. Even 25 years ago, the valley bustled with activity and attracted tourists from all over the country. Today Napa Valley is one of the world's flagship wine regions, with approximately 400 wineries and a reputation for top-quality wines. For many wine lovers, Napa Valley is synonymous with cabernet sauvignon. This late-ripening grape flourishes in Napa Valley's warm days and cool nights. While cabernet sauvignon grapes thrive all over the Napa Valley AVA, they do particularly well in the Rutherford and Oakville sub-regions, which are AVAs in themselves. (Napa Valley has 15 subregions, all of which are also AVAs.)

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2014 Joseph Phelps Insignia, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage:

2014

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$200.00USD

Classic Napa Cab. This is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc. The nose has cassis, dust, graphite, and mocha. Full bodied. Complex. Velvety texture. On the palate, cassis and black cherries with underlying spice/sandalwood. Firm tannins. Long finish. This is still young but drinking well. It should drink well over the next twenty years. A great wine to drink on its own or serve with braised lamb.

2013 Joseph Phelps Insignia, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

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