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Wine Description
The Story
First produced from the 1974 vintage, Insignia is the first proprietary Bordeaux-style blend produced in California. Each vintage is comprised of the best grapes from Joseph Phelps Vineyards, first from both grower and estate fruit, and beginning with the 2004 vintage, from entirely estate-grown fruit sources. Insignia is a Cabernet Sauvignon based wine crafted from six of the Joseph Phelps estate vineyards: Spring Valley Home Ranch Vineyard i...
Wine Information
83% Cabernet Sauvignon from estate-grown grapes in Stags Leap and the Rutherford Bench; 14% Carneros Merlot; 3% Napa Valley Petit Verdot.
Harvest Dates
September 8 - October 8, 1997
Winemaking Data
Grapes were harvested from September 8, - October 8, 1997 at an average 25.0° Brix, fermented in stainless steel tanks, then barrel aged for 26 months in 100% new French oak barrels. The wine is scheduled for bottling in January, 2000.
...Vintage 1997
The 1997 season started when the warm, dry soils at the end of February triggered budbreak a full month early. Bloom followed in early May. As the fruit set, growers recognized that the outstanding weather of the previous year would result in an exceptional crop. A temperate summer with moderate, steady temperatures allowed the fruit to reach optimal maturity with good hang time for the full development of character and flavors. 1997 was a vin...
