California

Tasting Notes

Flirting with perfection, the 2012 Dominus is composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Five thousand cases were produced, a relatively modest amount from this large vineyard’s big crop. Christian Moueix told me that there was plenty of heat in 2012, but there were no excessive hot spells that can plague Napa Valley vintners during the growing season and harvest. This wine’s opaque plum/purple color is accompanied by a beautiful nose of sweet crème de cassis, a touch of background oak (only 40% new oak is used), spice box, cedarwood, black cherries and a hint of spring flowers. The complex, intense aromatics are followed by a deep, opulent, multidimensional, full-bodied wine with not a hard edge to be found. Everything is seamlessly crafted in this beauty and the vintage’s abundant richness is well-displayed. This 2012 can be drunk in its exuberant youthfulness or cellared for another 20-25 years.

97+

Price ($)

$225

Drink Date

2016 - 2046

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

30th Dec 2016

Source

228, The Wine Advocate

The blend of the 2013 Proprietary Red Continuum is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot. This was aged in about 80% new French oak for 20 months prior to bottling. In his technical notes he said that 30% of production was declassified. A flawless, potential masterpiece in the making, the dense ruby/purple color, beautiful notes of blueberry, black cherry, graphite and a touch of earth and background smoke are followed by a full-bodied wine with gorgeous integration of acidity, tannin, wood and alcohol. The tannins are present and substantial, but silky and well-integrated. This is a tour de force from Tim Mondavi and his team – a masterpiece of power and finesse that, although approachable now, should age gracefully for at least another 25-30 years.

The 2013 Insignia (their 40th vintage) is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This wine is aged 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels, and the production can vary from just over 10,000 cases to nearly 20,000 cases in a very abundant vintage. There were 12,300 cases produced in 2013, and this vintage of Insignia is certainly going to turn out to be one of the great ones. The wine offers a stunning inky blue/purple color, a gorgeous nose of blueberry and blackberry liqueur, pen ink, graphite, new saddle leather and barrique. The wine has fabulous concentration, a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel, and tremendous finish with moderate tannin. It’s interesting to note that the Phelps winemaking staff had been gradually reducing the amount of Merlot in this wine over recent vintages. The 2013 should hit its peak in 5-7 years and last for 35-50.

Score: 98+Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (227), October 2016

Rating

99

Release Price

$245

Drink Date

2016 - 2047

Reviewed by

 Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

30th Dec 2016

Source

228, The Wine Advocate

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 ratchets up the level of complexity, richness and density. Magnificent floral notes intermix with blueberry, blackberry and cassis, and there is no hint of new oak. A full-bodied opulence on the palate, great purity and personality make for a prodigious example of Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 30+ years. Kudos to Stags Leap Wine Cellars.