2023 Cabernet Sauvignon "Insignia"

The 2023 Insignia is the first vintage made by Winemaker Ryan Knoth. It captures all the freshness and energy of this cool, late-ripening vintage, along with a new emphasis on vibrancy that is now a focus at Joseph Phelps. Vineyard sites are Yountville, Banca Dorada, Las Rocas, Barboza, Suscol and Home Ranch, plus a dollop of fruit from Backus, an estate site that had not been used in the blend for many years. Malbec was excluded, as it did not ripen ideally. Harvest stretched into November, another anomaly. Most importantly, Knoth reduced time in barrel to 20 months and also lowered toast levels, choices that exalt freshness. 

- Antonio Galloni (10/2026)

The 2023 Insignia checks in as 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, and it's the first time in a while that the blend includes 7% fruit from the Backus Vineyard. Crème de cassis, ripe blue fruits, chalky minerality, and beautifully integrated oak. This full-bodied, concentrated, powerful 2023 has remarkable purity, a deep, layered mid-palate ripe tannins, and a great finish. (01/2025)

This is impressive from first whiff, as waves of fresh boysenberry, blackberry and morello cherry preserves come spilling forth, inlaid seamlessly with hints of anise, cast iron, sweet tobacco, alder smoke and ink. Well-structured, with both tannic grip and the steady, percolating succulence of the vintage, this moves steadily through the lengthy, authoritative finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2028 through 2043. 12,300 cases made. 

- James Molesworth (11/2026)