ArtisanWineDepot.com

97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Insignia is a towering, statuesque wine bursting with blackberry jam, tar, spices, leather and licorice. It shows fabulous depth and richness backed up by serious, imposing tannins that suggest it has a long life. Ideally, the 2008 should be purchased by those who can be patient; it is not a wine for those seeking immediate gratification. The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038. - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2011)

95-97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The blend of the 2008 Insignia, 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot, is not terribly different from the 2007. However, I suspect the production will be a lot less given the frost damage in early spring. The color is an inky/purple and the wine shows lots of cassis, blueberry, graphite and floral notes, good acidity, stunning concentration and purity, and a long finish. Another great success for Phelps, the 2007 and 2008 Insignias may be the best back-to-back vintages they have produced since 1995 and 1994. The 2008 has some tannins to resolve whereas the 2007 has already assimilated them. It appears the 2008 will require 2-3 years of bottle age, but should last for three decades.

Joseph Phelps’ flagship wine, which they have been making for 36 years, is the Insignia, which boasts a remarkable track record. Phelps, always a visionary, was the first to recognize that a blend of grapes could be better than a single varietal cuvee. Phelps produces a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Backus Vineyard situated on the eastern slopes of the Oakville Corridor overlooking Screaming Eagle and Rudd Estate." -Robert Parker (Dec 2010)

95 Points – James Suckling:
“What a wonderful wine here. The nose shows a fabulous combination of dark fruits, chocolate, spices and caramel. The palate is silky textured with lots of ripe yet beautiful fruit and super silky, tight tannins This is a balanced wine with all the potential to age for decades. Made from 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot.” (June 15th, 2011)

96 Points – James Suckling:
"I really like the mint and floral notes on the nose that opens up to dark fruits. Full bodied and rich, with plums, berries, and currants. This starts off slow, then takes off with a bang. A stylish wine with wonderful potential. This will be bottled in January 2011." (January 7th, 2011)

94 Points – Wine Spectator Magazine:
"Dense and chewy, this is very tight and closed, but the glimpses of fruit offer tight mineral, crushed rock, graphite, dried currant, cedar and anise. Full-bodied and way too young to drink now, this needs time, but should provide years of rewarding drinking. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Best from 2014 through 2026."—J.L. (Aug 31, 2011)

93+ Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
"Full medium ruby.  Black fruits, minerals, licorice, tar, menthol and sweet oak on the nose.  Sweet and creamy on entry, then quite penetrating and tight in the mid-palate, showing a medicinal reserve for the vintage.  A backward and rather powerful Insignia with the structure to require, and reward, considerable aging.  This was a good quantity year for this flagship bottling, with about 16,000 cases produced." - Stephen Tanzer (May/June '11)

91-93 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
"Good deep medium ruby. Ripe plum and chocolate syrup on the nose. Supple, broad and sweet, with excellent breadth for the vintage. Plenty of tannins here but the finish boasts surprising length and captivating notes of licorice and chocolate." - Stephen Tanzer (May/June '10)

97-100 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2007 vintage):
"The 2007 Insignia (a 13,500-case blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot) offers a seamless introduction to this flagship cuvee. Its inky/purple color is followed by aromas of creme de cassis, incense, crushed rocks, lead pencil shavings, cedar, and spice box. It possesses a massive, opulent mouthfeel, serious tannins, and no hard edges. This stunning effort should hit its peak in 5-8 years, and last 40 years. I would not be surprised to see it become the greatest Insignia to date and close in on a perfect score." -Robert Parker, Dec. '09

96 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine (2007 vintage):
"Firm, intense and concentrated, massive yet well-proportioned, with a dense, focused core of graphite, dried currant, blackberry, black tea, forest floor and blueberry flavors. Full-blown, finishing with rich, layered tannins that beg for  cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2013 through 2025. From California.—J.L