I was also able to taste a bottle of the 2013 Insignia, which was based on 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Malbec, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Dense purple-hued with no lightening at the rim, it offers a kiss of maturity in its ripe blackberry and currant fruit as well as notes of new leather, graphite, camphor, and smoked tobacco. It's a powerhouse on the palate, with full-bodied richness, no hard edges, and one monster of a mid-palate. It has another 20-30 years of longevity.

98+ The 2013 Insignia (their 40th vintage) is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This wine is aged 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels, and the production can vary from just over 10,000 cases to nearly 20,000 cases in a very abundant vintage. There were 12,300 cases produced in 2013, and this vintage of Insignia is certainly going to turn out to be one of the great ones. The wine offers a stunning inky blue/purple color, a gorgeous nose of blueberry and blackberry liqueur, pen ink, graphite, new saddle leather and barrique. The wine has fabulous concentration, a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel, and tremendous finish with moderate tannin. It’s interesting to note that the Phelps winemaking staff had been gradually reducing the amount of Merlot in this wine over recent vintages. The 2013 should hit its peak in 5-7 years and last for 35-50. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

0 The mighty Insignia shows a vibrancy of purpose and craft in this, its 40th vintage, combining 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. Together they find a higher calling of perfumed violet, dark plum and berry along with graphite and an edginess of dried herb. Firm, structured tannins show tremendous potential for aging and decanting. This is a near-perfect effort from a blockbuster vintage.

Absolutely massive in color and concentration, this stains the glass and boasts the darkest purple color you could imagine without being black. The nose is incredibly aromatic with notes of vanilla bean, cassis, blackberry cobbler, charred oak and olive tapenade. On the palate this is surprisingly bright and lively, with layers of dark black and blue fruits, cigar wrapper and baking spices. The wine is deep, layered and dense but has the acidity to keep things in balance. The tannins are surprisingly polished and integrated and the finish seems to go on for minutes. This will age gracefully for 20+ years, and is a complete Napa cabernet that collectors will want in their cellars to begin consuming in 2020.

The 2013 Insignia has arrived at its first plateau of maturity. There's a good bit of tannin left, while the aromatics show a bit more in the way of development. Inky red/purplish fruit, lavender and spice linger. The question here is whether the tannins will ever soften. This is a bit of a question mark at this stage. -- Antonio Galloni

Insignia is typically blended around a backbone of Stags Leap District AVA fruit (40% in this vintage), with Southern Napa, Rutherford, Oak Knoll and St Helena making up the balance. It spends 24 months in 100% French oak, and in this vintage the blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. The warm 2013 vintage has given ripe black fruit on a supple, forward palate, the lengthy finish framed by granular tannins.

Rich and full-bodied, but exhibiting the lift of a brighter red. The dark berry flavors give this an elegant mouthfeel and ease the tannic strength. Tempting now but worth cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2018 through 2032. — J.L.