“I spent $300 on this bottle so you don’t have to.”
This week, Julien tastes Napa Valley cult favorite Insignia from Joseph Phelps. Is it worth the money? He shares his pros (dense and composed), his cons (quite oaky), and his overall score. Could it really be better than the legendary Opus One?
Introduction
The huge tannins, the huge body, the huge fruits, the huge explosion of flavors, huge spices, huge oak. But still, it’s somewhat restrained in the delivery.
This wine right here, Insignia by Joseph Phelps, is a Napa Valley legend. It’s often described as a true American wine icon, having achieved critical acclaim and cult status.
But is it really worth the hype? Is it worth the money? Should you buy this instead of a similarly priced Bordeaux? Is it better than Opus One or other iconic Napa Valley wines? What do I like about it—and what annoys me?
That’s what we’re exploring in today’s critical review. I spent $300 on this bottle so you don’t have to.
Background: Joseph Phelps & Insignia
What I love most about winemaking is seeing the full year unfold: vines growing, harvest, fermentation, blending, bottling—and realizing how many people are involved in creating a single bottle of wine.
Joseph Phelps is one of Napa Valley’s most prominent producers. The estate was founded in 1973 in Northern California, which already gives it a long history by Napa standards.
Joseph Phelps originally ran a construction company in Colorado before investing in Napa. He initially made wine from purchased grapes, then bought a cattle ranch and began planting vineyards to produce estate wines.
The iconic Redwood winery is located just outside Saint Helena. The estate sources fruit from vineyards across Napa Valley, including Stags Leap, Oakville, and other key areas, while also purchasing grapes from selected growers.
Insignia is their flagship wine—the crème de la crème—made exclusively from their best estate-grown grapes.
Style & Winemaking Philosophy
Insignia is designed to express the vintage rather than conform strictly to varietal expectations. As a result, it can differ significantly from year to year, with scores typically ranging between 95 and 100 points depending on the vintage.
Several vintages have received perfect scores from Robert Parker.
This is a Bordeaux-style blend. Cabernet Sauvignon is the backbone, complemented by Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and occasionally Merlot.
The wine tasted here is the 2019 vintage, a five-year-old wine from a solid but not legendary year—making it a good reference point for judging the true quality and aging potential of Insignia.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
The color is absolutely gorgeous—very dark and deep, black to the core.
At the rim, the wine still shows a purple-red hue rather than orange, indicating youth and very little evolution even after five years.
Nose
The nose is immediately impressive.
Rich, ripe Cabernet Sauvignon aromas dominate, with intense blackcurrant and cassis. There are also ripe blackberry, dark cherry, strawberry jam, and hints of prune.
Oak is very present: vanilla, wood smoke, toasted hazelnut. The oak feels fine, complex, and well-integrated. The nose is very American in style—ripe, bold, and unmistakably Napa—but also refined.
Palate
The palate is powerful and chewy, with dense, tight tannins that give the wine remarkable structure and composure.
It’s full-bodied and high in alcohol, yet well balanced thanks to matching acidity. The wine holds beautifully on the palate, delivering layers of ripe fruit and dark, roasted oak flavors.
Despite its power, it remains restrained and introverted, keeping much of its potential in reserve. Even at five years old, it feels very young—one of the hallmarks of a great fine wine.
Three Things I Like
Packaging
The bottle looks premium and classic for Napa. The broad shoulders and overall presentation signal quality and prestige immediately, especially in a restaurant setting.Composed Density
This is where Napa shines. Compared to Bordeaux, the wine is more powerful in body and alcohol, yet still delivers finesse, complexity, and serious aging potential.Balance and Blending
The blend is extremely well executed. Power and smoothness are perfectly matched, resulting in a wine that feels precise, harmonious, and polished.
Three Things I Don’t Like
Oak Intensity
The oak is a bit too marked for my palate. The vanilla notes are particularly dominant and, for me, slightly unnecessary on an otherwise excellent base wine.Price
At $300, this wine is expensive—even by Napa standards. While it’s better than most $100 Napa wines, the price still feels challenging to justify.Youthfulness
The wine is simply too young to fully enjoy right now. That’s not a flaw, but it does require patience.
Aging Potential & Final Verdict
This wine can easily age for at least 20 years. It should begin to drink well around 2030 and remain enjoyable through 2040 or even 2045.
Is it better than Bordeaux at the same price? Not better—just different.
You don’t get the same château prestige or classical finesse, but you do get the full Napa Valley experience: power, ripeness, American icon status, and outstanding quality.
Score
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2019: 96/100
That’s the same score I gave Opus One 2018. Insignia is more American in style, while Opus One feels more European. Personally, if I buy American, I want something unapologetically American—but that’s just me.
Closing
Have you tried Insignia yourself? What did you think?
Are there Napa or Bordeaux alternatives you’d recommend?
What should I taste next on this channel?
Let me know in the comments. Like and subscribe to support the channel. Drink safe, drink tasty, and I’ll see you soon in the wonderful world of wine.
Cheers!
