Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
A big, rich red, it offers a dense garnet color along with notes of unsmoked cigar tobacco and Asian spices, a full-bodied, deep, concentrated, broad, savory mouthfeel, plenty of sweet red and black fruits, ripe tannin and remarkable freshness as well as delineation. This gorgeous, complex, classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is fully mature, and probably should be consumed over the next 4-5 years. The 1976 Insignia was nearly perfect when I initially tasted it. An incredible drought in the summer months made 1976 one of the driest years on record, resulting in a tiny crop of thick-skinned, tannic berries with very little juice-to-skin ratio. This was the first vintages in which Joseph Phelps decided to utilize what is one of the great first-growth sites of Napa Valley, the Eisele Vineyard. The final blend was 94% Cabernet Sauvignon from Calistoga's Eisele Vineyard (now owned by the Bordelais, in particular Chateau Latour) and 6% Merlot from the Stanton Vineyard. The alcohols were 13.8% and 785 cases were produced. The 1976 also enjoyed a longer barrel aging of 15 months in a combination of American and French oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Chosen because it's showing well and because they have good stocks. Maturation in some American uprights as well as French oak. Mainly from the Fay vineyard. Still dark crimson. Fine, delicate old claret nose. In better shape than any 1976 bordeaux to have come my way recently. Refined tannins and fresh fruit with a little acidity and quite a bit of alcohol on the end. This was high alcohol for the era. Dusty finish. The fruit is fading but it's a commendable effort. (JR)
Joseph Phelps's 1976 Insignia was off the charts. The 1976 was made predominantly (94%) from Eisele fruit, so this bottle provided a fascinating contrast with the other 1970s Eisele Cabernets earlier in the evening. I loved the wine's extraordinary bouquet and huge, explosive finish. It's hard to say how long the 1976 will last, but it showed no signs of fading anytime soon. The 1976 Insignia is an American icon. It was an unforgettable bottle worthy of closing this great night of food and wine.
About the producer
California winery Joseph Phelps is best known for its flagship Insignia cuvée, one of the first and finest proprietary red wines in the Napa Valley.
Product details
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec/ Auxerrois / Cot
Red
Dry