2006 Joseph Phelps Insignia Auction Reserve

Bright medium ruby. Aromas of cassis, briary blackberry, mocha and black tea, plus a rocky, flinty minerality unlike any previous vintage of Insignia. Silky-sweet and fine-grained but with noteworthy energy to its dark berry, tar and mineral flavors. Finishes with huge tannins and slowly building length. This brooding, closed wine still needs time to absorb more of its tannins. (ST) 92+

The 2006 Insignia possesses a deep ruby/purple color as well as copious amounts of cassis, but has not yet developed secondary nuances. It remains a big, full-throttle, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine with 14.5% natural alcohol, impressive purity, sweet tannin, decent acidity and a monolithic personality. Everything needed for a graceful evolution is present, and the 2006 should keep for another two decades. This is a 16,900-case blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot (100% estate fruit) from a vintage that experienced a slowly developing growing season as a result of cool weather and abundant winter rain. The 2006 vintage will be remembered for a huge, 10-day, 100+ degree Fahrenheit heat spike at the end of July, which was unsettling to both growers and vineyards.