Deep Cover: The Untouchable Insignia!

Per Vinography, “The crown jewel in the Phelps portfolio has long been Insignia, a Bordeaux-style blend that has steadily held its place among the top wines produced in Napa each vintage.”

Double 96 point scores from the pros, and a healthy 40% drop off the release price puts this highly collectible gem puts this within reach.

Elizabeth Neuman, granddaughter of the great Joe Phelps, the pioneer of Napa’s first “Meritage” style proprietary red, affectionately emphasizes “The story of Insignia is a reflection of my grandfather’s character. He was a pioneer and an original who didn’t want to do what had already been done. He saw an opportunity to create something very special. With Insignia, he created California’s first proprietary red Bordeaux-style blend.”

Insignia hardly needs any introduction. One of the quintessential Napa classics, it has always been a favorite among serious collectors or anyone who wants to experience a masterclass in winemaking.

And here it is, in all its glory, of course at the best price you’ll find it anywhere, guaranteed.

Fascinatingly, the 2022 vintage of Insignia represents a major transition in its history. LVMH brought in David Pearson as President to steer the ship, who cut his teeth managing Opus One for 16 years prior.

Mind you, it took a good five years for Mondavi and Rothschild to create the inaugural Opus One, the first noteworthy competitor to Insignia back in the day.

Jump on this before it too is history. Not much to go around!

96 Points – Wine Advocate “During my August 2025 visit, I had a chance to sit down and taste with Ryan Knoth, senior director of winemaking, and David Pearson, president. Both are relatively recent arrivals at Joseph Phelps, so it was interesting to get their thoughts on this historic winery and its future under LVMH ownership (LVMH purchased Joseph Phelps Vineyards in 2022). Pearson, who served as head of Opus One from 2004 through 2020 and joined Joseph Phelps in July 2023, says his goal is to “elevate these wines as among the finest wines in Napa.” One of the big mechanisms he sees for doing that is through the farming, and Joseph Phelps is pursuing changes in the vein of Château Cheval Blanc—another LVMH property—to incorporate other crops, like fruit trees, into their vineyards. Knoth, who took over for former winemaker Ashley Hepworth in March 2023, previously worked at Sinegal, Gandona and Staglin. The 2024 white wines we tasted on this occasion are truly “his” wines from start to finish, while Hepworth fermented the 2022s that Knoth presented. While the 2022 Insignia and Backus are excellent wines, it will be interesting to see how the 2023 versions - the wines that are fully Knoth’s - differ… the impressive 2022 Insignia, a wine that has been entirely estate-grown since 2004, in a vintage impacted by an extended Labor Day heat wave, nearly two-thirds of the production came from the more shaded west side of Napa Valley, with harvest extending from September 7 through October 5. Scents of new suede, baking spices, loam and ripe cherries mingle easily on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, expansive and velvety, becoming just a little bit more open-knit on the lengthy finish. Drink 2025-2040.”

96 Points – James Suckling “Deeply brooding, refined aromas of blackcurrants, bitter chocolate, blood plums, dark cherries, cedar and coffee beans. The palate is full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and bright acidity that lead into a structured yet silky-smooth and savory finish. Great to drink young, or will reward after time in bottle. Drink or hold.”