Rob's "Wine of the Week" Archives
January 20th, 2009...
JOSEPH PHELPS INSIGNIA 1999
Description: Forgive me; I spend most of my vacations drinking some of the top-end wine I have collected over the years and this most recent two week PAID holiday vacation was no different. I spent a week with a fellow wine lover and reached into the cellar for a few high end bottles so for the next few weeks, you’re going to get what we call “cellar reviews,” meaning that the wines are no longer available as current releases but can be found online and/or at auctions, etc. Suck it.
Long time readers of this space know that Insignia is my overall favorite, most consistent high end wine on the planet. It has been named wine of the year on multiple occasions and has been consistently excellent for literally decades. A true test of a win connoisseur versus a wine snob masquerading as someone who knows what they’re doing is the Insignia test. Connoisseur’s know Insignia, snobs spout off about Opus One.
How and when I drank it: Wednesday December 31st while on vacation at a rented coastal home in Cambria, CA.
How to get it: For the purpose of this column I did a “Google” search for the term “Buy Insignia wine 1999” and found multiple websites that with bottles available ranging from $139 to $299.
How Much: The bottle is $165 new from the winery at release now, otherwise see above.
My Thoughts: While on PAID vacation, this was the bottle I set aside for New Year ’s Eve for I knew it wouldn’t disappoint and it didn’t. I still find the 2001 to be a superior vintage to the 1999 Insignia, but this bottle is aging nicely, turning more full bodied and chewy. While young Insignia have a more lush, rounded texture, this bottle has become dark, full and filled with chocolate, leather and tobacco flavors.
Overall Score: This is a high quality bottle of wine that can only be fairly judged against itself and it’s body of work. As Insignia’s go, this is above average but not spectacular. As Napa Valley reds go, this is top of the line and stands up next to any great release. 4 ½ vines.
JOSEPH PHELPS INSIGNIA 1999 =   |
