Need some advice for a Saturday special dinner at Addison.
Had the Insignia not too long ago up against the 2001. Both showed beautifully, but quite differently. I don’t know how you could go wrong with either. Why not make it really special and bring both.
Haven’t had the HSS but the insignia is special.
Believe Loren Sonkin wrote a note not long ago on the Phleps.
Yep, gave it 100 points. He is not Parker!!
Insignia.
Whenever this question will be asked, I will always respond with Shafer Hillside. No matter which vintage. I actually think Phelps sucks for what it is.
Before your ‘collective’ heads explode, I will explain: I do not see Insignia as a true expression of a Cab nor do I agree with its price for ‘what it is’. It carries ZERO sense of place and the 4-5 grape blend does not make it a Cab. ‘For what it is’ is a Bordeaux blend, or a Meritage if you prefer.
I thought it on the high side when it was $85 a bottle. I have had 2001 and 2002s from both wineries a few times and Insignia pales to the Hillside Select. Now, if you own it enjoy it. There are so many better ways to enjoy $169 worth of wine and I would start by adding another $50 or so (retail) for Hillside.
Cheers!
I havent had the Insignia but was lucky enough to try the 2002 shafer hs recently alongside a few others. It may need a few more years, but then the 2001 was WOTN. Atill, it was awesome.
The CT does list Insignia as a bdx blend so i am not sure how that affects your decision. I like bdx blends like realm cellars. If I had the option of one over the other though, i would go shafer. If price was a bit of a factor, then i suppose the $100 difference in the two bottles would push me to the insignia.
Just my 2 cents.
Actually, you can’t go wrong with either. And you have the other for next weekend.
Never had an Insignia that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy, even from vintages like 1998 and 2000. Joe was/is a trailblazer.
From this past summer:
- 2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley (5/27/2014)
Insignia, Shafer, Peppiere (My backyard): Wow. Stunning. This was bought on release before the WSWOTY came out, so for a reasonable price. My last bottle. It blew everyone away. When there was one more pour in the bottle, my wife claimed it and that was that! Purple in color. Amazing nose of cassis, leather, graphite, liqueur, and floral notes. On the palate, this is in a perfect place. Complex and layered, but with lots of fruit. Still has light tannins to resolve. Finish goes on forever. This was easily the best bottle of Insignia I can remember having. Wow. (100 pts.)
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Havent had the Shafer in a few years, but I also scored it 100. If I had both, I would open the Insignia as the Shafer will last longer IMO. No hurry on either.
Had both side by side a couple of months ago. The Shafer, as would be expected was the more full body wine, but both were very good. The Insignia was the one that night that was more approachable to drink now. The Shafer, we should have either decanted longer or just waited a couple more years before uncorking, but the opportunity to drink both side by side was too hard to pass up.
Thank you guys. I will go with Insignia as I think Mel would prefer a “gentler” wine. Price tag still on the bottle…$95.
That’s what I paid.
Both are good. I have enjoyed the Shafer more than the Insignia … but haven’t had either in a year or so. Perhaps I should open them…
Have always preferred Insignia to HSS. In fact I’ve never been impressed by any Shafer for that matter.
Had the '02 Shafer Hillside in 2010 and was easily the best I’d tasted to that point. Hope it shows as good for you.
It looks like you have already made up your mind, but I have also had both, and it is Shafer by a mile and a half in this vintage. (If it was 97 or 99, I’d say Insignia). Regardless, I hope you enjoy your Insignia.
Fantastic food and the wine matched. The wine is as good as the 1995 and 1997, and those are the best Insignia IMO. Thank you all.