1996 Joseph Phelps Insignia- USA, California, Napa Valley (11/7/2009)
Huge pine forest nose… like walking on to a Christmas tree lot. Flavors of fresh bing cherry, baking spices, cedar, espresso, leather, and a zippy acidity that belies its 13 years of age. Very long finish with a smooth, rich mouthfeel. I didn’t love this wine to the extent some recent tasters did, but all-in-all, an excellent bottle. Probably the one thing holding this wine back from stratospheric scoring with me was that cedar nose… it was almost too much. I wish I had this bottle a couple of years ago. (93 pts.)
I had the 1997 about 2 months ago, and it had some similarites. Especially the “Very long finish with a smooth, rich mouthfeel”. The differences? There was no presence of pine needles on the boquet of the '97, but it did have some of the cedar (closer to pencil shavings); and you made no mention of vanilla and that was very present in the '97.
I should note, the '97 Insignia is my WOTY to this point.
I wish I had a '96 to compare with your notes because it sounds like once you get beyond the nose, it is another great bottle.
I have a '99 and an '00; will probably drink the 2000 in the next year or two.