2007 Joseph Phelps - Insignia Proprietary Red Wine Tasting Note Wine Advocate : 95 ~ 97 Since 2004 , 100 % of the Bordeaux varietals used in the Insignia proprietary blend have been from estate vineyards . Perhaps the most brilliant Insignia since the 2002 and 2001 is the 2007 Insignia , composed of 87 % Cabernet Sauvignon , 8 % Merlot , 4 % Petit Verdot , and 1 % Malbec . An inky / purple color is followed by aromas of espresso , smoked herbs , graphite , creme de cassis , and licorice . Full - bodied , opulent , flamboyant , and silky - textured , it possesses fabulous concentration as well as spectacular purity , depth , and length . This should be a captivating wine to drink when released , and age easily for 25 - 30 years . The debut Insignia , the 1974 , which seemed almost too tasty and precocious when it was released in the late seventies , is still going strong at age 34 ! The 2007 is easily as good . ( Released , and age easily for 25 - 30 years . The debut Insignia , the 1974 , which seemed almost too tasty and precocious when it was released in the late seventies , is still going strong at age 34 ! The 2007 is easily as good . ) The Freestone Vineyard , a 100 - acre , cool climate site planted on the Sonoma Coast by Joseph Phelps , is finally coming into production , offering consumers a bevy of different Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs . There are three Chardonnay offerings , all of which emphasize the minerality and citrusy characteristics of this varietal with little intrusive oak , despite the fact that they are barrel - fermented and aged primarily in new French oak . The Cabernet Sauvignon program consists of three wines , the Cabernet Sauvignon , their famous proprietary red wine called Insignia , and their single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the western hillsides of Oakville , called Backus . The regular Cabernet is a solidly made , reliable effort usually comprised of about 85 % Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot , Petit Verdot , and occasionally Malbec . The single vineyard offering comes from Oakville ’ s Backus Vineyard . There are typically 1 , 500 - 2 , 500 cases produced from this biodynamically farmed vineyard . Robert Parker Dec 2008 Wine Advocate : 97 ~ 100 The 2007 Insignia ( a 13 , 500 - case blend of 88 % Cabernet Sauvignon , 8 % Merlot , and 4 % Petit Verdot ) offers a seamless introduction to this flagship cuvee . Its inky / purple color is followed by aromas of creme de cassis , incense , crushed rocks , lead pencil shavings , cedar , and spice box . It possesses a massive , opulent mouthfeel , serious tannins , and no hard edges . This stunning effort should hit its peak in 5 - 8 years , and last 40 years . I would not be surprised to see it become the greatest Insignia to date and close in on a perfect score . In case you think the aging curves I have described are unrealistically long , I have the Joseph Phelps regular Cabernets from the mid - seventies as well as the Insignias in my cellar , and those wines are still drinking beautifully at 30 + years of age . Today ’ s wines are better made . Robert Parker Dec 2009 Wine Advocate : 98 The 2007 Insignia ( a blend of 88 % Cabernet Sauvignon , 8 % Merlot and 4 % Petit Verdot ) looks to be one of the greatest wines yet produced at this historic winery . Beautiful aromas of creme de cassis and flowers jump from the glass of this dense purple - colored effort . Sweet oak is present , but it is pushed to the background by the wine ’ s extravagant wealth of fruit and full - bodied power . This is finesse and flavor authority put into a classic Napa Valley Cabernet with a seamless integration of all its component parts . Already complex and approachable , it should evolve for three decades or more , but who can resist it now ? It is a staggering , complex ｅxpression of Napa viticulture . Anticipated maturity : now - 2030 . Another great success for Phelps , the 2007 and 2008 Insignias may be the best back - to - back vintages they have produced since 1995 and 1994 . The 2008 has some tannins to resolve whereas the 2007 has already assimilated them . Joseph Phelps ’ flagship wine , which they have been making for 36 years , is the Insignia , which boasts a remarkable track record . Phelps , always a visionary , was the first to recognize that a blend of grapes could be better than a single varietal cuvee . Phelps produces a 100 % Cabernet Sauvignon from the Backus Vineyard situated on the eastern slopes of the Oakville Corridor overlooking Screaming Eagle and Rudd Estate . Robert Parker Dec 2010 Wine Spectator : 96 Firm , intense and concentrated , massive yet well - proportioned , with a dense , focused core of graphite , dried currant , blackberry , black tea , forest floor and blueberry flavors . Full - blown , finishing with rich , layered tannins that beg for cellaring . Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot and Petit Verdot . Best from 2013 through 2025 . 13 , 500 cases made . – JL 2 / 2