2021 Joseph Phelps Insignia, "a truly complete, delicious, seductive wine” (WA)

Joseph Phelps Insignia is a benchmark for Napa. A blend of exceptional parcels of grapes from around the Valley, it always offers a superb snapshot of any given vintage. 2021 was excellent for Napa, making it a hugely compelling prospect, so we are delighted to offer the big-scoring and beautiful 2021, a stellar new release.

A member of the team was able to taste this last week and was hugely impressed. Elegant and very refined, this is a sophisticated Napa that has bags of complexity, exquisite balance and a real sense of presence. If you want a Napa fruit bomb, this might not be for you, but if you want a refined, cool and layered take on Napa Cabernet, it’s perfect.

Scores are excellent from the critics. Jeb Dunnuck gives it 96-98 points and praises the “beautiful tannins, a great mid-palate, and outstanding length”. His score is matched by Joe Czerwinski, who calls it “a truly complete, delicious, seductive wine”. Antonio Galloni called it “built more on finesse than power” and gave it an excellent 95-97 points.

The consistent excellence and fair pricing of Phelps’s flagship bottling have made it one of Napa’s most revered and cherished wines. This 2021 not only continues this trend but might even be improving on it with quality so impressive this year.

Do take a look and let us know if you would like to secure a case or two.

2021 Joseph Phelps, Insignia

£1,100 per case (6*75cl OC) in bond

96-98 points Jeb Dunnuck

Not yet bottled, the 2021 Insignia has a pure, concentrated, medium to full-bodied style that shows the vintage beautifully. Cassis, blue fruits, graphite, lead pencil shavings, and floral notes all define the bouquet, and it has beautiful tannins, a great mid-palate, and outstanding length. (2023) www.jebdunnuck.com

96-98 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate)

Set to be bottled in January 2024, the 2021 Insignia looks to be another huge success. A blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, with 2% each Cabernet Franc and Malbec, all matured in 100% new French oak, winemaker Ashley Hepworth said she thought production would be about 18,000 cases. Waves of cherries, cassis and dark chocolate mark the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, concentrated, rich, velvety, plush, layered and long. The dusty tannins suggest ample structure, yet the wine is plush enough to be almost approachable. It’s a truly complete, delicious, seductive wine, yet naysayers may criticize it for lacking a certain amount of individuality or soul. (2023) www.robertparker.com

95-97 points Antonio Galloni

The 2021 Insignia is still in barrel, but it is immensely promising. Bright acids and beams of tannin confer freshness. This is a mid-weight vintage of Insignia that is built more on finesse than power. Crème de cassis, lavender, spice and new leather linger. (2023) www.vinous.com Drink 2027-2041

Offered subject to final confirmation. Available in the UK in late 2024 / early 2025. Offer expires 4th October.

Get in touch