| |
All Wines from Joseph Phelps
Inventory updated: Wed, May 13, 2026 05:54 PM cst
Our vintages of Joseph Phelps wine currently include: 1989, 2002, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021
Flickinger Fine Wines' inventory of Joseph Phelps wine is listed below. We have an excellent and vast assortment of fine wines to choose from. If you do not see what you are looking for, give us a call and we can suggest another Joseph Phelps vintage or even another producer that we are sure you will enjoy.
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA Red |
| Joseph Phelps |
2018 |
Backus Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon  |
$259 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 97+ (12/2021): In contrast to the more open and seamless Insignia, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is a beast of a wine based on 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Malbec that saw the same two years in new barrels. More blackcurrants, black cherries, mulberries, graphite, crushed stone, lead pencil, and tobacco notes define the nose, and it's full-bodied, with an incredible depth of fruit and richness on the mid-palate, building tannins, and a great finish. With air, it picks up this intriguing, burning ember, iron, almost Hermitage-like character, yet it shuts down with extended air and becomes more tannic and unyielding. It's a brilliant wine, but the cellar is going to be your friend. It should hit full maturity in about a decade and will evolve for 30-40 years. 2,900 cases. (Drink between 2031-2061).
WA 96+ (7/2021): The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec, aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak. Deep purple-black colored, it soars out of the glass with notes of plum preserves, baked black cherries and crème de cassis, plus nuances of pencil shavings, bouquet garni, crushed rocks and unsmoked cigars with a touch of cardamom. The palate is full-bodied and seductively rich, delivering mouth-coating black and blue fruit preserves with loads of exotic spice accents and a velvety texture, finishing long with a refreshing herbal lift.
VM 96 (1/2022): The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard is a very pretty wine, but it also comes across as a bit compact. There is plenty of energy and drive if not quite the volume that is such a signature of this Oakville Cabernet. Time in the glass brings out layers of dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender and mint. The 2018 is a gorgeous wine in the making. Readers should expect a mid-weight, relatively restrained vintage of this flagship Phelps Cabernet. (Drink between 2025-2040). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2021 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
|
1989 |
Eisele Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon Signs of Old Seepage |
$185 |
5 |
|
| |
|
|
2002 |
Insignia Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$725 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (11/2013): The 2002 boasts an inky/purple color along with notes of graphite, violets, blackberries, creme de cassis and hints of charcoal and barbecue in addition to a full-bodied, multilayered mouthfeel that builds incrementally with great purity, staggering fruit concentration, and a long, velvety, 50+-second finish. This prodigious effort should continue to drink well for 20+ years.
VM 92+ (4/2016): (from a year featuring three heat spikes in September): Full red-ruby. Slightly roasted, high-toned black raspberry nose show a slightly pruney ripeness (the VA here was a relatively elevated 0.85). Creamy, plush and sweet, displaying excellent breadth and still-considerable baby fat. This was quite flashy on release but now seems to be in an adolescent phase. Big, building tannins saturate the tongue and front teeth. Winemaker Hepworth described it as "like a teenager, and without the suavity of tannins of the 2001." I'd leave it alone for at least a couple more years, at which point it may well merit a higher score. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2011 |
Insignia Proprietary Blend |
$205 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 91+ (4/2016): (from a very late growing season in which the harvest took place in October): Dark ruby. Cool aromas of blackberry, dried sage and thyme, Kona coffee, black olive and peppery herbs. Boasts good density and intensity to its cassis and cherry flavors but also a distinctly green element of mint, pepper and herbs. Finishes juicy and firmly tannic: will this expand in bottle? This was the first Insignia vintage since 2000 with all five Bordeaux varieties, as a bit of Cabernet Franc found its way back into the blend--in this case, from three-year-old vines in Suscol vineyard. Hepworth believes that the wine's green notes will diminish over time and that it will evolve gracefully. Stephen Tanzer.
JS 92 (5/2014): A balanced, delicious Insignia for early drinking. Aromas of currants, blueberries and licorice follow through to a full to medium body, fine tannins and a clean finish. Yummy. Drink or hold.
WA 90-93 (11/2013): The 2011’s deep ruby/purple color is followed by sweet aromas of bouquet garni, mint, red and black currants, tobacco leaf and licorice, and a surprisingly intense, full-bodied mouthfeel with more richness and intensity than I would have expected from this vintage. It is also precocious and can be drunk upon release or cellared for 15 or more years. Although it has not yet been bottled, the 2011 Insignia is composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot and the rest Malbec, Merlot and a dollop of Cabernet Franc, and represents 13,000 cases. It achieved a slightly lower alcohol of 14.1%. |
|
|
2014 |
Insignia Proprietary Blend |
$445 |
12 |
|
| |
WA 97+ (10/2017): Composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc coming from six vineyards and reared for 24 months in 100% new French oak, the 2014 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed blackberries and fresh blackcurrants with touches of cigar box, sandalwood, dried lavender, beef drippings and mocha plus a waft of wild thyme. Medium to full-bodied and incredibly elegant and fine in the mouth, the lively fruit is well structured by grainy tannins and seamless acid, finishing long and earthy. 14,500 cases were made.
JS 97 (5/2017): The blackberry, dark-chocolate and walnut aromas are persuasive. Full body, a dense and fruity center palate and beautiful depth and intensity. The tannin texture is exceptional. Great wine. Drink in 2020 and onwards.
VM 97 (3/2018): The 2014 Insignia has turned out beautifully. Finely sculpted, nuanced and classic in structure, the 2014 is built on a core of energy and brightness. There is a level of purity and delineation in the flavors that is remarkable. Bright red cherry, lavender, rose petal and graphite add to the wine's sculpted personality. The 2014 is not an obvious or especially opulent Insignia, but rather a wine that makes its case with its impeccable balance. A closing flourish of bright, floral notes adds the final shades of nuance. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96 (12/2017): The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Insignia checks in as 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc and was brought up all in new oak. This beauty comes from six estate vineyards and offers a gorgeous bouquet of black raspberries, cassis, Asian spice and white chocolate. With full-bodied richness, a beautiful, opulent, yet balanced texture, sweet tannin, and a great finish, it's a gorgeous 2014 that's already hard to resist, yet will cruise for two to three decades in the cellar. |
|
|
2014 |
Insignia Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$445 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 97+ (10/2017): Composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc coming from six vineyards and reared for 24 months in 100% new French oak, the 2014 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed blackberries and fresh blackcurrants with touches of cigar box, sandalwood, dried lavender, beef drippings and mocha plus a waft of wild thyme. Medium to full-bodied and incredibly elegant and fine in the mouth, the lively fruit is well structured by grainy tannins and seamless acid, finishing long and earthy. 14,500 cases were made.
JS 97 (5/2017): The blackberry, dark-chocolate and walnut aromas are persuasive. Full body, a dense and fruity center palate and beautiful depth and intensity. The tannin texture is exceptional. Great wine. Drink in 2020 and onwards.
VM 97 (3/2018): The 2014 Insignia has turned out beautifully. Finely sculpted, nuanced and classic in structure, the 2014 is built on a core of energy and brightness. There is a level of purity and delineation in the flavors that is remarkable. Bright red cherry, lavender, rose petal and graphite add to the wine's sculpted personality. The 2014 is not an obvious or especially opulent Insignia, but rather a wine that makes its case with its impeccable balance. A closing flourish of bright, floral notes adds the final shades of nuance. Antonio Galloni.
JD 96 (12/2017): The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Insignia checks in as 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc and was brought up all in new oak. This beauty comes from six estate vineyards and offers a gorgeous bouquet of black raspberries, cassis, Asian spice and white chocolate. With full-bodied richness, a beautiful, opulent, yet balanced texture, sweet tannin, and a great finish, it's a gorgeous 2014 that's already hard to resist, yet will cruise for two to three decades in the cellar. |
|
|
2015 |
Insignia Proprietary Blend |
$239 |
12 |
|
| |
WA 98 (12/2018): The 2015 Insignia Proprietary Red Wine is blended of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with stunning black and red plums, cassis and mulberries scents with loads of redcurrant sparks and compelling wafts of lilacs, pencil shavings, black olives and tilled soil plus a hint of bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate explodes with red and black currant fireworks plus some exciting mineral nuances coming through, framed by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and beautifully layered.
JD 97 (1/2019): The 2015 Insignia is a fleshy, flamboyant vintage for this wine and reminds me of the 1997. Tons of dark fruits, tobacco, cedar, and dried flower notes all give way to a full-bodied, seamless 2015 that has remarkable purity and elegance, yet still shows the vintage’s sexy style. Drink it any time over the coming two to three decades. (Drink between 2019-2044).
VM 93 (12/2018): Ample and perfumed, with tons of richness, the 2015 Insignia has a lot to offer. Sweet tobacco, menthol, licorice, plum, dried herbs and licorice add aromatic nuance to this decidedly extroverted, flamboyant wine. Even all of the wine's richness can't fully cover some rough edges, especially in the tannins, and a feel of stress that runs through the wine. It will be interesting to see if things smooth out in time, as there are elements of real contrast in the 2015. In the end, though, that is not entirely surprising given the challenges of the growing season. In 2015, Insignia does not contain Merlot, which also contributes to its feel relative to recent vintages. (Drink between 2023-2040). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2017 |
Insignia Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$479 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (10/2020): The 2017 Insignia is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc coming from: 46% Las Rocas vineayrd (Stags Leap District), 22% Barboza vineyard (Stags Leap District), 13% Suscol vineyard (South Napa Valley), 10% Yountville vineyard (Oak Knoll District) and 9% Home Ranch (St. Helena). It was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant scents of Black Forest cake, preserved plums and blueberry pie plus touches of redcurrant jelly, potpourri, clove oil and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has gained weight from it's in-barrel offering, boasting rich, decadently perfumed black fruit preserves flavors with a racy backbone and velvety tannins, finishing long and spicy. 7,400 cases were made. |
|
|
2009 |
Larry Hyde and Sons Vyd. Carneros Syrah |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 89 (12/2011): The 2009 Syrah Hyde Vineyard needs quite a bit of air to show its true personality. It is a dark, powerful wine loaded with dark fruit, smoke, licorice and tobacco. Today the tannins are quite firm, so this needs another 6-12 months in bottle. It comes across as tight, compact and unyielding, especially next to the straight Syrah. It shows good focus, but neither a ton of richness nor varietal character. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. |
|
|
2009 |
Napa Valley Syrah |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|