![]() Spain, too, received some cooler weather, but Rioja and the rest of central Spain are hailing 2010 as a very good year indeed, again as a result of smaller, finer yields. France, especially, had a fantastic year in 2010, with the world renowned Burgundy region proclaiming that their white wines of this year are ones to look out for, and despite yields being relatively small across much of the country, the quality was exceptionally high. The northern hemisphere and Europe saw something of a cooler summer and flowering period, but this was by no means as disastrous as it could have been. (Opus One) 14.2010 saw extremely high quality viticulture in many parts of the world, with an exceptionally long and hot summer providing huge benefits for wineries across many countries, especially in the southern hemisphere. They are both fabulous.Ĭomments: See also our tasting of Joseph Phelps Insignia 2008Īlcohol: (Insignia) 14.5%. They each offer a unique experience and picking one over the other is limiting. Which do I like best? The one I am drinking at the moment. The medium body fills the mouth with just the right amount of weight and dryness while the tannins seductively tingle the tongue into a long finish. (Opus One): Luscious ripe cherry aroma prepares the palette for and equally delicious velvety taste dished with a hint of leather. With a medium body and well created dryness, the wine treats the mouth to a smooth elegant experience. ( Insignia): The light but glorious aroma greets the nose and glides seamlessly into the rich jammy flavor that lasts into the long finish accompanied by a chorus of perfectly tuned tannins. ![]() One guest did not like Opus One but did like Insignia another preferred the Opus one but liked the Insignia and Ray and I liked both! Everyone immediately rejected the Pinot Noir in favor of one or both of the others. To make the occasion more fun I bought a Siduri Russian River Pinot Noir (my daughter in law’s favorite kind of wine) and had a blind tasting. The dinner was simple steak, baked potato, green salad and broccoli-cauliflower-carrot mix with garlic bread. She said: What do you get for a person who loves wine and buys all kinds of great wine experiences for you? My answer was, a bottle of Joseph Phelps Insignia and Opus One. With all that said, if I could only have one of these I would select the Insignia!!! And as someone who loves “good” red wine, I have to say these are two GREAT California picks and it’s a VERY special treat to blind taste both at the same time. Would I buy them again…without question, but next time they will be drunk without food!!! Even at these prices both of these are outstanding buys. For me the Insignia has more smooth flavor and softer tannins than Opus One…and the Opus One has more intense taste that carries right through to the end of the finish. In the blind tasting each of these stood out very distinctively. The richness of the fruit and minerals in the Opus One is OUTSTANDING. Smooth as silk, very intense dark fruit flavors that are thick enough to chew on, and they just linger on and on. Powerful leather, ripe cherry, plums and damp earth aromas. Insignia is a MEMORABLE wine drinking experience and simply heavenly just to sit and drink without any food. The depth and layers of taste are just superb. Very complementary, concentrated dark fruit taste that’s super smooth and velvety, and carries right through the long vibrant finish. ![]() ![]() Wonderful intense ripe dark fruit and wood aromas. He said: (Insignia) Dark purple/garnet color. Paired With: Steak, baked potato, green salad and broccoli-cauliflower-carrot mix with garlic bread Purchased From: Woodland Hills Wine Company Woodland Hills, California Geographic Region, Appellation: ( Insignia) Napa Valley, California ( Opus One) Oakville, California. Grape Variety: ( Insignia) Blend: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Pettit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 2% Melbec ( Opus one) Blend: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.5% Cabernet Franc, 5.5% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Helena, California ( Opus One) Produced & bottled by Robert Mondavi & Baron Philippe De Rothschild Oakville, California. Winery/Producer: ( Insignia) Grown, Produced & bottled at Joseph Phelps Vineyards St. Recommendation: Both very expensive, but still an outstanding buy. ![]()
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