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 2016 Joseph Phelps Insignia is a proprietary red blend from Napa Valley, California, produced by Joseph Phelps. This wine is composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Malbec, and it was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. It has an alcohol content of 14.5% and is sealed with a cork.

The wine has garnered high praise from various reviewers, with scores ranging from 95 to 99 points. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it an impressive 99 points, describing it as "deep garnet-purple colored" and noting its "fantastic elegance and depth" with a "firm, very finely grained texture and seamless freshness." The publication highlighted its complex layers of "wild blueberries, warm blackberries, black currant cordial, cloves, and cedar chest," calling it a wine with "epic length."

Wine Enthusiast gave it 98 points, emphasizing its "seamless, complex experience of black currant, brambly berry, and black pepper, with accents of graphite, pencil, and cedar." Reviewer Virginie Boone remarked on its robust tannins and youthful energy, suggesting that it will benefit from further aging, recommending enjoyment between 2026 and 2031.

James Suckling also rated the wine at 98 points, praising its "lovely density and intensity" and noting flavors of "dark berries, blueberries, and inky undertones with hints of spice, chocolate, and walnuts." He recommended trying the wine after 2022 to allow it to develop further in the bottle.

Jeb Dunnuck awarded the wine 97 points, comparing it to the 1997 vintage and lauding its "magical bouquet of crème de cassis, fruitcake, forest floor, tobacco leaf, and toasted spices." He noted its full-bodied, powerful nature and suggested it would benefit from 4-5 years of aging, with potential longevity of 25+ years.

Decanter gave the wine 96 points, describing it as "packed with juicy, dense, sweet berry flavors, plus notes of tobacco and graphite." The review highlighted its "wonderful thick softness and length," noting a slightly oaky character that integrates well over time.

Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com awarded the wine 97 points, commenting on its elegance, silkiness, and polished texture. He mentioned that despite the 100% new French oak aging, the wood is fully integrated, resulting in a "lush, soft, and polished" wine.

Wine Spectator gave the wine a score of 95 points, noting its flavors of "dark currant, blackberry, and black cherry preserves," with hints of "alder, incense, and black tea notes." The review highlighted its "long swath of fine-grained tannins" and suggested the wine would be best enjoyed from 2021 through 2035.

Overall, the 2016 Joseph Phelps Insignia is a highly acclaimed wine known for its complexity, depth, and aging potential, making it a standout choice for collectors and enthusiasts.