Joseph Phelps Vineyards: 2001 Insignia

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BLEND & GRAPE SOURCES:
89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Verdot, 3% Malbec primarily from estate-owned vineyards in Stag's Leap and Rutherford, with additional fruit coming from independent growers.

RELEASE DATE: Spring, 2004.

HARVEST DATES: Sept. 5 - Oct. 13, 2001.

WINEMAKING DATA:
Grapes were harvested at an average 24.8º Brix, fermented in stainless steel tanks, then
aged 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels before being blended and bottled in February, 2004.

At this early stage, the 2001 Insignia exhibits a dark purple color; ripe, concentrated, blackberry and cherry fruit flavors, and an abundance of ripe, sweet tannins.

The 2001 vintage produced extremely balanced, concentrated and flavorful fruit with generous yields, despite a variable growing season usually associated with less successful years.

A warm spring resulted in early budbreak, followed by a few days of freezing temperatures which caused some detrimental frost in early April (a natural thinning!). Prior to flowering, record high temperatures in early May caused rapid vine growth, and maturation was further accelerated by heat spikes in early June. Finally, mild temperatures in July and August provided ideal growing and ripening conditions and allowed vines to recover from their growth spurt in the spring.

Harvest began at the beginning of September with Sauvignon Blanc. Some of the early-maturing red varieties were harvested on September 10th with fully developed flavors and tannins. The mild temperatures which followed allowed further hang time and flavor development for the later-maturing Cabernet Sauvignon, most of which was picked during the last week of September through the first week of October. The advent of hot, dry weather which maintained its grip through most of October afforded even the most stubborn vineyards a chance to ripen and produce some of their best fruit since 1997.

WINEMAKING QUOTES:
From the Wine Advocate:

The 2001 Insignia is an inky/purpled- colored effort representing a return to the superb quality of such vintages as 1997. Aged in 100% new French oak, this blockbuster reveals gorgeous aromas of melted licorice, creme de cassis, liquid minerals, and hints of chocolate and spice box. The finish is long, full-bodied, opulent, and voluptuous. Considerable tannin is largely concealed by the lavish richness, extract, and glycerin. - 95 Points