Colorado-raised Joseph Phelps made his first investments in Napa in 1972, and shortly 2 years afterwards, he conceived this idea of making a unique blend which is to vary every year to preserve Napa’s best expression. In 1974 Phelps and his winemaker Walter Schugg produced their first vintage of Insignia, which at the time was one of the first Bordeaux style blends in California. Its Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot grapes are sourced primarily from Rutherford & Stags Leap (notably for `Insignia’); the Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from Los Carneros & Napa (for the better quality fruit). Insignia, which is aged in oak barrels (25% American) for 22 months has been on hot streak since 1990 and current winemaker Craig Williams is producing richer and riper wines than before. Explore a diverse range of vintages of Insignia going all the way back to 1978 on WWX today.

Deal of the Day

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2018
6 x 75cl | $1,600 per bottle
Blackberry and black chocolate with mint, conifer and clove. Sweet tobacco, violets and flowers, too. Some graphite. Cool and complex. Full-bodied with ultra fine, dusty tannins and a wonderful, extremely long finish. Savory and refined. A classic-styled 2018. This needs time, but is so approachable and gorgeous. One of the best Insignias ever. Alive and changing all the time. Leave this for five or six years, but so wonderful now. JS99

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2019
6 x 75cl | $1,550 per bottle
A very aromatic Insignia with pencil-shaving and graphite highlights to the dark fruit and blackberries. Full-bodied, yet tensioned and vertical, with very fine tannins that run deep and layered in the wine. Needs time to come together, but fantastic tension and structure. JS98

Take a look at the full selection here: