Rating: 91 Points

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. Robert Parker, Rating 94. November 2013

Produced & Bottled by Joseph Phelps Vineyards- St. Helena, California