A little cause for celebration last evening: my wife back from Australia, my daughter’s recent 19th birthday, one son back from Sweden and the other leaving for an adventure in Thailand. I grilled some perfect beef filets and opened a 2000 Joseph Phelps Insignia. 13.9% abv. Nice Bordeaux blend of 77% Cab, 18% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Cab Frank and 1% Malbec. No sediment, a few large Tartrate crystals on cork. Decanted into a cool decanter one hour before dinner.
In short: Fabulous wine. Nice, clear, deep garnet color. Welcoming nose. An initial but very brief sweet sensation on the tip of the tongue gives way to bright cherry and dark red berry fruit flavors. Tannins were fully resolved and the finish was medium long. Much more Bordeaux than Napa in style, as I expected. I had read about a hard line of alcohol running through this wine but I did not find it so. I can’t think this will get much better.
