| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | U.S.A. > California > Napa Valley |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2010 Insignia is every bit as exotic as it has always been. This was one of the first Napa Valley vintages I reviewed on release. Dark-toned fruit, graphite, exotic spice and mocha are all amplified in the glass. The year started quite cold, but then an unexpected late-season heat spike pushed the wines over the finish line in grand style. The finest 2010s combine the aromatics and structural grip of a cold year with the ripeness of a warm year, a duality that has always been deeply intriguing. The 2010 is without question one of the most distinctive wines in this vertical, with a personality that is all its own. Its contrasts remain so alluring. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 2% Malbec from Las Rocas, Home Ranch, Yountville, Barboza, Banca Dorada and Suscol. Aging was 24 months in new French oak.
A gorgeously intense bouquet of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, black currants, blackberries, and subtle smoke and foresty aromas jumps from the glass of this full-bodied, rich, concentrated wine with soft tannins, a multidimensional mouthfeel, and a long, rich finish displaying well-integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood. This beauty is one of the top Insignias produced over recent years. It should age easily for 20+ years.
The stunning 2010 Insignia, which is now in bottle, was made from 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and the rest Merlot and Malbec, 11,060 cases were produced, and it achieved 14.9% natural alcohol. All of the fruit came from estate vineyards.
