3 | Wine | California, 95 or higher, 2007

"The 2007 Madrona Ranch is a compelling, creamy-styled red offering an assortment of aromas, including white chocolate, graphite, forest floor, blackberries, cassis and blueberries. Pure, multilayered and super-rich, without any harshness or astringency, this is one of those wines that can be drunk young or laid away for 25+ years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Firm, intense and concentrated. ...massive yet well-proportioned, with a dense, focused core of graphite, dried currant, blackberry, black tea, forest floor and blueberry flavors. Full-blown, finishing with rich, layered tannins that beg for cellaring. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot."

"The 2007 Insignia...looks to be one of the greatest wines yet produced at this historic winery. Beautiful aromas of creme de cassis and flowers jump from the glass of this dense purple-colored effort. Sweet oak is present, but it is pushed to the background by the wine’s extravagant wealth of fruit and full-bodied power. This is finesse and flavor authority put into a classic Napa Valley Cabernet with a seamless integration of all its component parts. Already complex and approachable, it should evolve for three decades or more, but who can resist it now? It is a staggering, complex expression of Napa viticulture. Anticipated maturity: now-2030. Another great success for Phelps, the 2007 and 2008 Insignias may be the best back-to-back vintages they have produced since 1995 and 1994. The 2008 has some tannins to resolve whereas the 2007 has already assimilated them."-Robert Parker

"Its dense plum/purple color is followed by sweet notes of cassis, licorice, smoke and graphite intermixed with hints of bay leaf and chocolate. Full-bodied and velvety-textured with beautifully integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood, it is an opulent, full-bodied Cabernet that should drink beautifully for 20 or more years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"A staggering wine of exceptional concentration, flavor dimension, and texture, the opaque blue/purple-tinged 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder boasts copious notes of smoked meats, subtle barbecue smoke, creme de cassis, charcoal, licorice, and background mountain flora. With terrific intensity as well as full-bodied power, this is a brilliant Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 25-30 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"Sleek, rich, intense and beautifully balanced. ...a complex mix of black currant and black cherry, plus red and black licorice. Firm, focused, expansive and layered, ending with classic Bordeaux-like cedar, tobacco and cigar box notes."

"I would not be surprised to see it become the greatest Insignia to date and close in on a perfect score. Its inky/purple color is followed by aromas of creme de cassis, incense, crushed rocks, lead pencil shavings, cedar, and spice box. It possesses a massive, opulent mouthfeel, serious tannins, and no hard edges. This stunning effort should hit its peak in 5-8 years, and last 40 years." Reviewed by Robert Parker. 97-100 pts.

"It is a seductive yet extraordinarily complex wine that should prove to be a future super-star. The 2007 Estate Cuvee State Lane Vineyard boasts an inky/plum/purple color as well as a complex bouquet of melted licorice, chocolate, creme de cassis, mocha, and sweet forest floor aromas. Full-bodied and layered with exquisite purity, texture, and length, this large-scaled offering reveals a supple texture along with 20-25 years of drinkability." Reviewed by Robert Parker.

"The 2007 Les Pavots...is brilliant. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by gorgeously complex aromas of melted chocolate, espresso roast, blackberries, and cassis. Full-bodied with a superb texture, a subtle note of oak, and fabulous concentration, it is more reminiscent of a Right Bank Bordeaux than one expects with this much Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. A thirty-year wine, its impeccable balance and the sweetness of its tannins make it accessible already."-Robert Parker.

"Wonderfully complex aromas lead to firm, intense and concentrated flavors, showing a well-structured mix of black licorice, blackberry, plum and black cherry, with touches of graphite and mineral. Ends with tight, chewy yet ripe tannins that support the flavors."