Joseph Phelps Vineyards: 1995 Insignia

Wines

Current Joseph Phelps Vintages
Current Freestone Vintages
Past Phelps Vintages
Rhône-Style Wines
Library Wines

BLEND & GRAPE SOURCES:
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot; 3% Petite Verdot, with 80% of the blend coming from estate-grown grapes in the Stag's Leap District, Rutherford Bench and St. Helena area, and the remainder from independent growers.

HARVEST DATE:
Oct 3 - Oct 19, 1995

WINEMAKING DATA:
Grapes were harvested from October 3 - 19, 1995 at an average 23.8 degrees Brix, fermented to 13.5% alcohol, then aged 24 months in French oak barrels before being bottled in January, 1998.

The 1995 growing season was characterized by a wet spring, followed by cool weather in June and July. Ripening and flavor development finally began in August, with the onset of a warm spell which prevailed throughout September and most of October. Tonnage was down throughout the North Coast, and berry size was smaller than normal, producing wines of deep color and rich, extractive flavors.

The surprise of the year for us was the quality of the Petite Verdot, which has contributed both color and texture to the final blend. Although not yet in full production, we have over 10 acres of the varietal planted on our Spring Valley ranch, and hold high hopes for its future.

Although still young, the 1995 Insignia has intense aromas of black cherry, spice, coffee and toasty oak, with well-defined flavors of mocha and blackberry fruit. It is framed by solid tannins, and has a long, lush finish with no bitterness or astringency on the palate. Compared to the 1994 Insignia (which was rated the No. 3 wine of the year in the December, 1997 Wine Spectator), the 1995 blend is equally well balanced but not yet quite as forward, with greater structure and depth due to the nature of the tannins extracted from the '95 vintage. It may well prove to be the longer lived wine.