Joseph Phelps Insignia Napa Valley 1994

96 points Robert Parker: “The 1994 Insignia (a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc) is spectacular. I have had the wine a half-dozen or more times, and it is unquestionably opulent, sexy, flamboyant, explosively rich, concentrated, and a thrill to drink. Already gorgeous, it promises to evolve gracefully for two decades or more. The color is a healthy saturated dark purple. The spicy nose offers aromas of black currants, allspice, pain grille, and soy, with scents of a burning wood fire thrown in for additional complexity. This full-bodied, opulent, dazzling wine is exhilarating to drink. (Dec 1998)”

94.1 points CellarTracker.com community score.

93 points Wine Spectator: “A tremendous wine that combines dark, rich, deeply concentrated flavors with a sense of grace and finesse. This is still a bold, potent youngster, with a wealth of currant, mocha, anise and sage flavors. The tannins are big, too, but they’re ripe and they let the rich flavors push through.–California Cabernet ’74/’84/’94 retrospective. (11/15/04)”

5 stars (potential), Michael Broadbent’s Pocket Vintage Wine Companion: “(Cabernet Sauvignon 88%, Merlot 10%, Cabernet Franc 2%) Mainly from vineyards on the Rutherford Bench and Stags Leap area of the Napa. Opaque core, intense, very rich ‘legs’; ‘classic’, touch of smokiness; sweet, tarry fruit — not unlike Ch Pontet-Canet in certain vintages — well made, rich, tannic. (Nov 1998)”