Joseph Phelps' Insignia 1994 is a stunning Bordeaux style red from one of the Napa Valley's leading producers. Benchmark Napa - full-bodied and rich with so much complexity - a must buy for lovers of the Napa Bordeaux style.

Joseph Phelps was formerly in building construction in Colorado, before establishing his own winery in 1973. In 1974 he made his first vintage of Insignia with winemaker Walter Schugg. This was a groundbreaking time in the Napa, which saw the birth of the Bordeaux style red of which Joseph Phelps was one of the pioneers.

1994 was a stunning Napa vintage and, incredibly, there is plenty more development to come in bottle.

"1994 is indeed a stunning vintage...The 1994 Insignia is spectacular. I have had the wine a half-dozen or more times, and it is unquestionably opulent, sexy, flamboyant, explosively rich, concentrated, and a thrill to drink. Already gorgeous, it promises to evolve gracefully for two decades or more. The color is a healthy saturated dark purple. The spicy nose offers aromas of black currants, allspice, pain grille, and soy, with scents of a burning wood fire thrown in for additional complexity. This full-bodied, opulent, dazzling wine is exhilarating to drink.

"Yes, yes, yes. An adorable bouquet soars from the glass: expressive black cherries, plum, mint, burning autumn fires and a touch of pain grille. Wonderful definition, with a hint of menthol developing with time. The palate is full-bodied and very focused, opulent ripe black fruits inflected with dark chocolate and leather, later a touch of orange zest. It has a beguiling sense of beauty." eRobertParker.com