| 2008-09-28 10:24 |
IWC: Professional Tasting History (private)
By Stephen Tanzer
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/June 2002, Issue #102
(Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia Proprietary Red Wine Napa Valley) (tasted just off the bottling line; a blend of 71% cabernet sauvignon, 21% cabernet franc, 6% merlot and 1% each petit verdot and malbec) Deep ruby. Roasted aromas of currant, black cherry syrup, licorice and grilled nuts. Powerful but smooth and sweet, with superb, extremely unevolved dark berry flavors and a strong mineral note of graphite. Excellent acidity contributes to the impression of intensity. Very long, mounting finish features firm tannins and lively dark berry flavors. This bottling has been consistently superb in recent years, even in the difficult 1998 vintage. 93(+?) points |