Joseph Phelps Insignia 1984

Joseph Phelps Insignia 1984 is a full-bodied Bordeaux blend from the Napa Valley of California. Grapes for the Insignia cuvée are sourced primarily from Rutherford and Stags Leap. The wine is typically matured for 22-24 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. The family-run Joseph Phelps Vineyards was founded in 1973. Over more than four decades, Joe Phelps has transformed the winery into a Californian icon which consistently produces critically acclaimed wines - the proprietary Insignia red being the prime example. This wine was first produced in 1974 and has received four perfect 100-point scores from Robert Parker (for the 1991, 1997, 2002 and 2007 vintages). "The wine`s strikingly dark ruby/plum/purple colour belies its nearly 30 years of age. Abundant red and black currant fruit notes intermixed with notions of incense, truffles, underbrush and forest floor emerge from this full-bodied, dense, rich Insignia. It still appears capable of further nuances and development, which is hard to believe given its age. An impressive underlying vibrancy and focus are found in this still young Napa red... The 1984 Insignia is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and for the first time in a number of years the barrel regime was shortened to 11 months." Wine Advocate, 2013