Phelps 2022 Insignia Estate Grown Red Wine from Napa Valley

A landmark expression of Napa Valley craftsmanship, the 2022 Insignia delivers power and refinement—bold dark fruit, precision structure and long ageing potential make it a signature wine from a historic estate.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Crafted entirely from estate-grown vineyards across the Napa Valley AVA, this 2022 vintage of Insignia is led by Cabernet Sauvignon (the predominant variety) alongside smaller percentages of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The wine was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels, contributing depth of texture and elegance of finish. The estate’s commitment to vineyard-to-bottle quality is evident in the layered complexity and strong sense of place.

Critics Reviews

• Vinous rated the 2022 Insignia 93-95 points, describing it as “medium to full-bodied, balanced, showing the plush riper style of the vintage with good tannins and outstanding length.”

• Robert Parker Rated it 96 Points, "There are 10,400 cases of 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. While unlikely to be a long-lived, legendary Insignia, it's still a delicious, forward wine that should drink well for close to 20 years."

• James Suckling scored the 2022 Insignia 96 points, praising its “deeply brooding, refined aromas of blackcurrants, bitter chocolate, blood plums, dark cherries, cedar and coffee beans… full-bodied with firmly framed tannins and bright acidity.”

• Jeb Dunnuck awarded 95 points, describing it as “a perfumed, lifted nose of red and blue fruits, candied flowers, chocolate and nicely integrated oak… medium-to-full-bodied, balanced, and offering outstanding length.”

• Jonathan Cristaldi (Decanter) rated it 95 points, noting “savory wild herb notes—spearmint, bay laurel, cinnamon spice—lift a core of crunchy red fruit; cocoa-powder tannins provide grip without heaviness and the finish is exceptional in length.”

Tasting Profile

• Nose: Deep garnet in the glass. Aromas of black currant, black cherry compote, dark plum, roasted espresso bean, fresh graphite and a subtle herb-leaf note (mint-tobacco).

• Palate: Full-bodied and broad-shouldered — rich waves of blackberry, black plum, cassis and blackberry jam meld with mocha, cedar box, dark chocolate and a dusting of white pepper. The tannins are firm yet polished, giving structure and pace.

• Finish: Long and contemplative, the finish lingers with black fruit, licorice, earth-toned spice and fine grain oak. A strong cellar candidate for 10-20 years.

Quick Overview