98pts Jeb Dunnuck

Always raised in 100% new oak, the 2021 Insignia checks in as 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Malbec. It has a rocking nose of blackcurrants, cedar pencil, chocolaty oak, and graphite. This carries to a deep, full-bodied 2021 with a dense, stacked mid-palate, ripe, polished, yet building tannins, the vintage's purity and structure, and a great finish. With roughly 16,000 cases, it's one of the few releases in Napa Valley to deliver this level of quality at this production level.

96pts James Suckling

Deeply brooding, refined aromas of blackcurrants, bitter chocolate, blood plums, dark cherries, cedar and coffee beans. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and bright acidity that lead into a structured yet silky-smooth and savory finish. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 4% petit verdot, 2% malbec and 2% cabernet franc. Great to drink young, or will reward after time in bottle.

96pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

There are 10,400 cases of the impressive 2022 Insignia, a wine that has been entirely estate-grown since 2004. In a vintage impacted by an extended Labor Day heat wave, nearly two-thirds of the production came from the more shaded west side of Napa Valley, with harvest extending from September 7 through October 5. Scents of new suede, baking spices, loam and ripe cherries mingle easily on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, expansive and velvety, becoming just a little bit more open-knit on the lengthy finish.

95pts Vinous

The 2022 Insignia is packed with succulent red cherry fruit, rose petal, sweet spice and new leather. The 2022 is shaping up to a be a showy Insignia, but it is not overdone.

Tasting Notes

The 2022 Insignia opens with aromas of ripe black cherry, red currants, and subtle spices leading to dense flavors of dark chocolate and coffee bean on the palate. Its full-bodied texture and balanced tannins create a luxurious mouthfeel and smooth finish, making it a standout choice for those seeking a rich and indulgent vintage.

Pair with Seared Wagyu Steak with a red wine and beef stock reduction.

About the Wine

In 1974, the idea to blend the finest wine lots of the vintage into one bottling was revolutionary in the Napa Valley. Named Insignia, to signify a wine of excellence and superior quality, the ‘distinguishing mark’ allowed the wine to freely adapt to the varying combination of varietals from vintage to vintage. Insignia would quickly become the seminal wine of Joseph Phelps’ legacy.

Sourced from up to eight Napa Valley estate vineyards planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc planted on select sites. 

Over the years, Joseph Phelps Vineyards has become practically synonymous with ‘Insignia.’ A true visionary, Joe was one of the first American winemakers to see the merit in blending. He proved this when he debuted ‘Insignia’ in 1974. As California’s first proprietary red Bordeaux-style blend, Insignia firmly positioned the winery as a premier Napa Valley producer. Joe chose the name Insignia to represent the finest lots available from each vintage and emphasize the importance of blending as a determinant of quality over varietal designation. At its very essence, Insignia is an emblem of Joe’s foundational philosophy that you have to give your best to craft the best. Almost fifty years later, Insignia is recognized as one of the world’s most iconic wines. The 2002 vintage was awarded “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator magazine in 2005, and Wine Advocate has awarded an unprecedented four perfect 100-point scores to the 1991, 1997, 2002, and 2007 vintages. According to Robert Parker, “Insignia remains one of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon dominated blends.”

Winery Notes

Joseph Phelps Vineyards was founded in 1973 by construction entrepreneur Joseph Phelps, who purchased a former cattle ranch in Spring Valley and quickly established the estate as a Napa innovator by releasing Insignia in 1974—one of California’s first flagship Bordeaux-style blends—and by producing the state’s first varietally labeled Syrah the same year. Over the following decades, the winery expanded to a network of estate vineyards across Napa Valley’s top appellations and later added a cooler-climate outpost on the Sonoma Coast for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In the modern era, Phelps has maintained its reputation for quality and consistency while refreshing its visitor experience, and in 2022 the estate entered a new chapter when it was acquired by LVMH, positioning the brand within a global luxury wine portfolio while continuing its focus on estate-driven, premium wines.

Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec