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Rob's "Wine of the Week" Archives

So here is my wine review for the week of December 12th, 2005...

Phelps Insignia 2002

Description: Consistently, this is, in my opinion, the best wine made year after year. The Phelps Insignia is the product of a blending on the best red wine grapes available and careful aging. In the past, this wine has scored 100 ratings and "Wine of the Year" honors from major wine publications. In fact, the 2002 Insignia has been named 2005 Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator magazine in its' current issue.

How to Get it: This wine, as long as it doesn't sell out, is remarkably accessible. I've even seen it at Albertson's. The warehouse stores almost always have it as well. Be warned though that the "Wine of the Year" title will make this bottle a collector's item and it will probably sell out fast.


How Much: It's about $125-150 per bottle, $100 in the warehouse stores. It's worth every penny.

My Thoughts: Simply amazing yet again. The Insignia rarely disappoints. The 1998 and 2000 vintages were sub-par for this wine, but still great belnds. The 2002 is once again the crowning jewel of the Napa red wines. Placed next to similarly priced or even more expensive wines from places like Opus One, David Arthur, Screaming Eagle and the like, this wine dwarfs those efforts. This is a wonderful blend of deep, dark red and purple fruit flavors, expertly balanced with the Insignia trademark vanilla giant smooth finish. Probably the best bottle of wine I've ever had.


Overall Score: It's impossible to not give this wine my highest score of 5 vines. Wine Spectator Magazine is right, this is the wine of the Year and worth every penny you'll spend on it.

Phelps Insignia =