2010 Joseph Phelps, Insignia, Napa Valley 1x750ml

Vinous 95+

(a growing season with a late bloom and late veraison but more consistent temperatures than either 2009 or 2011): Bright, dark ruby. Very young, brilliantly pure aromas of dark fruits and strong minerality. Then wonderfully juicy but youthfully imploded, conveying an impression of weightlessness to its penetrating flavors of cassis, blackberry, minerals, dark chocolate and flowers. Savory, sappy, rather masculine wine with terrific precision and energy but still folded in on itself today. Finishes suave, vibrant and very long, with sophisticated fine-grained tannins in perfect harmony with the wine’s fruit. Very little Suscol fruit went into the blend as it was too green, according to Hepworth. [Stephen Tanzer, 04/01/2016]

Anticipated maturity: 2024-2040