Recommendation: Recommended as a buy.
Winery/Producer: Joseph Phelps Vineyards.
Grape Variety: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec.
Geographic Region, Appellation: Napa Valley, California.
Vintage: 2008.
Price: $210 plus a $12 corking fee.
Purchased From: Vino Volo Wine Bar in the Liberty (Newark, New Jersey) Airport
Pared With: Artisan cheese tray
Tasting:
He said: What has this world come to when you can drink Joseph Phelps Insignia waiting for your airplane in the Newark New Jersey Airport!!! Opaque dark purple-red color. Rich (an understatement) damp earth, black berry and dark fruit aromas. Unbelievable rich, silky fruit taste that’s dry, fruity and chewy. Lively long dry finish. It has an out-of-this-world bouquet and a taste just like the aromas. Without being a wine snob I’ll say this is a tad better than the Opus One I tasted a few months ago. The rich complexity in the taste is just OUTSTANDING. Would I buy it again, you bet I would. It may not be a bargain but it sure is a Cabernet Sauvigon wine drinking experience…with or without food. This is a MEMORABLE wine!!!
She said: Another wine from Vino Volo in the Newark Airport, at $210 plus $12 Corking charge. The price blew me away when Ray owned up to it but I have to admit it was a VERY good and clearly an OUTSTANDING wine. Frankly I don’t have a lot of experience with wines in this price range so I can honestly say that it was delicious and a special treat, but have no idea if it was a good value. The wine was served in all-purpose glasses which was too bad because experiencing the bouquet was not tip top. The bouquet was exceptional and was full of ripe black berry and cherry but should be made available in the proper glass. The complex flavors that followed were complemented by the full body, dryness and firm tannins that lasted into the long finish. I loved it.
Comments: See Vino Volo Wine Bar for a description of our experience at the wine bar. Also see the review of our side-by-side Blind tasting: Joseph Phelps Insignia 2010 and Opus One 2010
Alcohol: 14.5%
Bar code: 761503332257