Ratings and Reviews
COACH INSIGNIA, CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Napa Valley
| Vintage | Rating | Publication |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 95+ Points | Antonio Galloni, Vinuous Media |
| The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia is just as impressive today as it was from barrel last year. Dark, dense and explosive, the 2016 is a wine of real personality. A rush of black cherry, plum, chocolate, sage and licorice makes a strong opening statement, but there is plenty of underlying structure to back things up as well. Even with all of its obvious power and structure, the 2016 remains finessed and understated. I can't wait to see how it ages. | ||
| 2015 | 92 Points | Antonio Galloni, Vinuous Media |
| The 2015 Coach Insignia packs a serious punch. Explosive in the glass... the flavors are dark, bold and incisive in this virile, brooding Cabernet Sauvignon. Hints of leather, smoke and scorched earth add complexity throughout. | ||
| 2014 | 93 Points | Antonio Galloni, Vinuous Media |
| Fisher's 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia is surprisingly dense and powerful. The flavors are dark, bold and incisive throughout. One of the more ample wines readers will come across, the 2014 Coach Insignia continues to develop nicely. A host of dark cherry, mocha, new leather, licorice and plum lead into the plush, inviting finish. The 2014 will drink well with minimal cellaring. | ||
| 2013 | 94 Points | Antonio Galloni, Vinuous Media |
| The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia is deep, pliant and expressive, with striking mid-palate pliancy and terrific balance. Sweet cherry, plum, chocolate, savory herbs, tobacco and leather meld together effortlessly. Drink this succulent, forward Cabernet Sauvignon over the next decade or so. The 2013 Coach Insignia has turned out beautifully. It's a class act. | ||
| 2012 | 90 Points | Antonio Galloni, Vinuous Media |
| The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia is pretty, open and expressive. Dark red cherry, plum, spice and leather are all laced together nicely in the glass. The 2012 has developed very well since I last tasted it, but it remains decidedly medium in body and feminine in style. This is the most accessible of the Fisher 2012s. | ||
| 2011 | 90-92 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia is soft, sensual and inviting. Dark red berries, freshly cut flowers and mint are some of the many notes that are woven together in the glass. The 2011 is all about detail, nuance and delineation. A relatively soft, accessible wine for the year, the 2011 should drink well fairly soon upon release. | ||
| 2010 | 94Points | Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar |
| Inky ruby. Cherry compote, cassis, vanilla and pipe tobacco on the deeply scented nose and palate. Broad and fleshy, with licorice and bitter chocolate qualities gaining strength with air. Shows serious power for the vintage, finishing chewy, sweet and very long, with mounting tannins and lingering smokiness. | ||
| 2010 | 93-96 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia is a thrilling wine. Cassis, blackberries, mint and minerals are some of the many notes that burst from the glass in this stunning Cabernet Sauvignon. There is more than enough pliancy and mid-palate depth to match the wine's considerable structure. This is a hugely promising wine from Whitney Fisher. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. | ||
| 2009 | 92 Points | Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar |
| Opaque ruby. Complex, intensely perfumed aromas of cassis, cherry-vanilla, violet and pipe tobacco. Lush, palate-coating dark fruit flavors show an attractive pliancy and pick up smokiness with air. Rich but lively cabernet, finishing with powerful thrust and persistent sweetness. | ||
| 2009 | 93 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia is a big, rich wine bursting with dark fruit. It shows quite a bit more density and power than the 2008. The expansive, voluptuous finish is captivating. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. | ||
| 2008 | 92 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia is a gorgeous, refined wine laced with expressive red fruit, flowers, mint and licorice. The elegant, feminine side of Cabernet comes through, along with a hint of mocha and spice from the presence of 8% Cabernet Franc in the blend. Hints of sweet herbs and licorice reappear on the finish. Today the 2008 looks to be a fairly early-maturing wine, but I don't think that will be much of an issue based on how delicious it is. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. | ||
| 2008 | 93 Points | Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar |
| Deep ruby. Highly fragrant aromas of red- and blackcurrant, dried cherry, anise and herbs, with sexy oak spice and floral qualities adding complexity. Sappy and expansive in the mouth, offering sweet cherry and dark berry flavors. Turns spicier with air and finishes quite long, with fine-grained tannins and a late note of black cardamom. I find the fruit here more assertive than the the '07 at a similar stage. Definitely decant this if you plan on drinking it any time soon. | ||
| 2007 | 91 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| This venerable winery has produced a beautiful 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of charcoal, background wood smoke, black currants, and a hint of graphite. Elegant and medium to full-bodied with sweet tannin, a seductive texture, and surprising opulence, it should drink nicely for 10-15 years. | ||
| 2006 | 92 Points | Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar |
| Bright red. Sharply focused redcurrant and cherry scents are complemented by tobacco and brown spices. Deeper cassis and bitter cherry on the palate, along with spicecake and succulent herb qualities. Combines power and depth smoothly, finishing with slow-building sweetness and excellent clarity. | ||
| 2005 | 92 Points | Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar |
| Red-ruby. Aromas of black cherry, mocha, exotic spices and chocolatey oak. Juicy, intense and rather high-pitched, with a fine grain to the raspberry, redcurrant, mineral and spice flavors. Youthfully tight and serious cabernet, finishing with a lovely subtle lingering sweetness and an attractive light touch. The tannins dust the front teeth. | ||
| 2005 | 93-94 Points | Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar |
| 2005 Fisher Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia Napa Valley is deep ruby. Exotic, youthfully energetic black raspberry, cherry compote, licorice candy and mocha scents, with bright minerality. Deep and suave, with sweet red and dark fruit flavors, fully enveloped tannins and an utterly captivating, sexy Asian spice quality. Finishes with outstanding persistence and lush, sweet dark berry flavors. If this is priced like it has been in the past, it will be a steal. | ||
| 2005 | 91 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia offers a deep ruby/purple color along with aromas of blueberries, black raspberries, and a touch of chocolate. This complex, full-bodied, opulently-styled Cabernet possesses silky tannin, decent acidity, and a round, generous, friendly personality. There is excellent harmony among all its elements. Drink this delicious, suave wine over the next 10-12 years. | ||
| 2004 | 90 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The Coach Insignia Cabernet is usually blended with a small amount of Cabernet Franc or Merlot. The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia is softer and more up-front than the 2005 with oodles of black and red fruits intermixed with crushed rocks, flowers, and subtle spicy wood. The overall impression is one of elegance yet authoritative flavors. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. | ||
| 2004 | 91 Points | James Laube's The Wine Spectator |
| Firm and intense, with a mix of herb, cedar, and dried currant flavors that are taut and dusty, ending with a tight focus, layers of complexity and good length. | ||
| 2003 | 92 Points | James Laube, The Wine Spectator |
| Generous, with ripe plum, black cherry and fleshy Cabernet fruit, that's smooth textured and unfolds in layers, gaining depth and complexity. Ends with a long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2014. | ||
| 2003 | 91 Points | Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar (May/June 2006) |
| Deep ruby-red. Cassis, licorice, tobacco leaf and mocha on the nose. Lush, silky and pliant, with noteworthy depth to the flavors of currant, chocolate and tobacco; nicely round thanks to harmonious, ripe acidity. Finishes with broad, fine tannins and lingering sweetness. Very cabernet in style. This has turned out well. | ||
| 2003 | 90-93 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The deep, rich 2oo3 Coach Insignia (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) boasts smoky, black currant, licorice, toasty oak, and spice notes. Opulent, powerful, rich, and impressive, it may turn out to be one of the finest Coach Insignias made to date. It should drink well for 12-15 years. | ||
| 2003 | 90 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| 2003 appears to be a strong vintage for Fisher, with the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia revealing a sexy, upfront style with projected aromatics, beautiful balance, plenty of licorice-infused black currant fruit, and a personality not unlike a top Pomerol, even though this is virtually all Cabernet Sauvignon, not Merlot. Drink it over the next decade. | ||
| 2003 | 93 Points | Connoisseurs' Guide |
| Inviting elements of black cherries and raspberries are overlain in the nose by a rich veneer of cocoa, caramel and sweet toast, and while the wine similarly does not stint on creamy oak in its flavor its optimally ripend fruit is what dives this well-focused working from beginning to end. Full in weight, fleshy and nicely extracted, it has the tannic underpinnings of a wine meant for age. Leave it alone for at least three or four more years and expect it to deepen for a decade or more. | ||
| 2002 | 94 Points | The Wine enthusiast |
| This is a tremendous young wine, enormous fruity stuffing. It's fairly tannic, but the Grenache-like cherry, Cassis, plum and fudgy chocolate flavors are so powerful, so evocative, nothing could mask them. Grilled Steak will tame it, but this is a good cellar candidate to open between 2008 and 2015. You can also decant for a few hours. | ||
| 2002 | 91 Points | Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar (May/June 2005) |
| (Includes 10% cabernet franc) Good red-ruby color. Black fruits and flowers on the captivating nose. Sweet and silky on entry, then concentrated in the middle, with slightly roasted dark fruit flavors given shape by juicy acidity. This offers considerable early appeal but has plenty of broad, ripe tannins to support aging. Incidentally, the Fishers are in the process of replanting the Wedding Vineyard behind the house and will have their first crop from the new vines in 2005. | ||
| 1999 | 94 Points | James Laube, The Wine Spectator |
| Serves up a pure, rich, delicious core of blackberry extract, with touches of currant,black cherry, plum and anise, finishing with a long, rich, detailed aftertaste. Sufficient tannins to merit cellaring. An extraordinary effort that ranks as Fisher's finest. Best from 2003 through 2012. 2,000 cases made. | ||
| 1999 | 90 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The deep ruby/purple-colored 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia (a 2,370-case blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc) exhibits a creamy nose of chocolate, smoke, cassis, and licorice, an up-front, rich, fleshy, elegant style, medium body, and a sweet finish. Drink it over the next 8-10 years. | ||
| 1997 | 92 Points | James Laube, The Wine Spectator |
| Wonderful balance and sense of harmony here, with rich earthy currant, black cherry, anise, sage, cedar and tarry notes, finishing with ripe tannins and excellent length. Drink now through 2010. 2,460 cases made. | ||
| 1997 | 90 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The 1997 Coach Insignia (77% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc) is powerful, with a seamless personality. The wine is moderately tannic and full-bodied, with loads of chocolatey, black cherry, and cassis fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2014. | ||
| 1996 | 91 Points | James Laube, The Wine Spectator |
| Intense and concentrated, with a rich core of earthy currant, leather, anise, mineral and sage. Takes time to open, but offers a lot of complex, concentrated fruit flavors. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot. Best from 2001 through 2009. 3,000 cases made. | ||
| 1996 | 90 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The 1996 Coach Insignia (1,380 cases) offers classic cassis, coffee, chocolate, and oaky aromas that are followed by deep, concentrated, spicy, rich, berry fruit flavors. A blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc, it offers abundant power, purity, and richness. It should drink well for 10-15+ years. | ||
| 1993 | 90-93 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia is another terrific effort from Fred Fisher. It possesses the hallmarks of recent Fisher releases - spectacular ripeness and richness, as well as massive, chocolatey, ripe blackcurrent fruit presented in full-bodied, expansive, wonderfully pure and concentrated style. The wine's high extraction, judicious use of toasty oak, and gorgeous ripeness and length suggest it should be drinkable when released and last for 15+ years. | ||
| 1992 | 92 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The 1992 Coach Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon has obviously benefited from a long maceration. Aged in 100% French oak (of which 50% is new) the wine is bottled without finning or filtering. Its opaque purple color, intense fragrance of minerals, cassis, and vanillin, sweet multi-layered richness, full-body, and admirable purity merit high marks. There is tannon present, but there is more than enough fruit and flesh to cover it up. Drink it between 1998-2015. | ||
| 1991 | 92 Points | Robert Parker's Wine Advocate |
| The Coach Insignia is an exceptional wine. It is one of the finest of the outstanding 1991 vintage. The opaque ruby/purple-colored wine offers a powerful, pungent nose of cassis, black fruits, chocolate, vanillin, and licorice. It oozes with super richness, full body, glycerin, and nicely hidden alcohol and moderate tannin in the finish. While the quantity produced (1,600 cases) will not make it the most widely available Cabernet Sauvignon, shrewd readers should be able to find a few bottles before it is scarfed up by Cabernet lovers. Approachable now, it has the potential to last for 15+ years. | ||
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