First produced from the iconic 1974 vintage, Phelps Insignia is the first proprietary Bordeaux-style blend produced in California. Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, each vintage is comprised of the best grapes from Joseph Phelps Vineyards, initially from both grower and estate fruit, and beginning with the 2004 vintage, from entirely estate-grown fruit sources. Grapes from six of the Joseph Phelps estate vineyards go into Insignia: Spring Valley Home Ranch Vineyard in St. Helena, Banca Dorada Vineyard on the Rutherford Bench, Las Rocas and Barboza Vineyards in the Stags Leap District, Yountville Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District and Suscol Vineyard in South Napa Valley.

The 2015 Joseph Phelps Insignia is a proprietary blend hailing from the renowned Napa Valley in California's North Coast region. This red wine has garnered high praise from professional reviewers, reflecting its exceptional quality and craftsmanship.

Blended from 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec, the 2015 Insignia has been aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, which contributes to its complex and layered profile.

James Suckling, from jamessuckling.com, awarded this wine a score of 97, describing it as showing "finesse and beauty with dark berries and wet earth." He noted its subtlety and very fine-grained texture, with a medium to full body that is bright and vivid. Suckling also highlighted the wine's "lovely length and intensity," suggesting it can be enjoyed now or held for future enjoyment.

Lisa Perrotti-Brown of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the 2015 Insignia an even higher score of 98. She praised its deep garnet-purple color and its stunning array of scents, including black and red plums, cassis, and mulberries, accented by redcurrant, lilacs, pencil shavings, black olives, tilled soil, and a hint of bay leaves. Perrotti-Brown described the palate as "exploding with red and black currant fireworks" and noted the wine's firm, grainy tannins, fantastic freshness, and very long, beautifully layered finish.

Jeb Dunnuck, from jebdunnuck.com, also rated this wine 97, calling it a "fleshy, flamboyant vintage" reminiscent of the 1997 Insignia. He highlighted the wine's dark fruits, tobacco, cedar, and dried flower notes, emphasizing its full-bodied, seamless purity, elegance, and the vintage's "sexy style." Dunnuck suggested that this wine can be enjoyed over the next two to three decades.

Wine Enthusiast also gave the 2015 Insignia a score of 97, noting its concentrated blend and exceptional quality. The review pointed out the flavors of pencil shavings, red currant, and red plum, complemented by hints of crushed rock and cocoa. The persistent acidity maintains balance, making it a wine well worth cellaring for enjoyment between 2025 and 2035.

In conclusion, the 2015 Joseph Phelps Insignia stands out as an exceptional wine with a consistent track record of high scores and glowing reviews from esteemed critics. Its complex flavor profile, elegance, and potential for aging make it a remarkable choice for wine enthusiasts.