Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa Valley (California) 2019

 This is the first of the Insignias to be released since LVMH bought the property a year ago, although, of course, it was made under the old regime.  As with other Insignias, it could have been called a Cabernet Sauvignon, as it is 93% from that grape.  It is a delicious wine with muddled, textured fruit, mainly with the flavors of dried blackberries and a squirt of fresh black raspberries with some notes of dusty chocolate and a lot of dried herbs and well-integrated tannins.  It seems to me, however, that the savory qualities somewhat overpower the fruit, more so than necessary, although it will loosen up some with decanting and aging.  I say that as someone who generally prefers more structure and more savory notes in my Napa Cabs, but I can’t help getting the feeling here that the winemaker for some reason over-compensated.