Wine Spectator Ranks Joseph Phelps
Insignia No. 1 Wine of the Year
 2003 Insignia Released!
St. Helena, CA. Joseph Phelps Vineyards' 2002 Insignia has been ranked
the #1 Wine of the Year in the Wine Spectator's year-end review of
the top 100 wines tasted in 2005. Marvin R. Shanken, Wine Spectator's
editor and publisher, explains that 12,400 wines from around the world
are blind tasted and narrowed down to a thousand, then a hundred,
then the top 10.
The first Phelps Insignia was produced from the 1974 vintage, and
its release in 1978 signified the first time a California winery had
produced a blend of traditional Bordeaux grape varieties under a proprietary
label.
In the early years, Insignia was sourced from independent growers,
but beginning in 1989 much of the blend came from estate-owned vineyards
in the Stag's Leap District and Rutherford Bench. The goal of transitioning
over to a domaine-based wine will be realized with the 2004 vintage,
when 100% of the fruit will be estate grown.
Insignia has been produced every year since 1974 and, according to
the Wine Spectator, "has earned an outstanding score in 26 of its
29 vintages." In 1997, the 1994 Insignia was ranked #3 in the Wine
Spectator's Top 100 (Nos. 1 and 2 were Ports), and in 2000 the 1997
Insignia was ranked #5.
Joseph Phelps, who headed Hensel Phelps Construction Company out of
Greeley, Colorado, came to the Napa Valley in the early 70's to build
Souverain Winery. In 1973, he subsequently founded his own winery
a few miles southeast of St. Helena off the Silverado Trail.
In addition to producing Insignia, Phelps is also known for his pioneering
work with Syrah, a Rhone varietal which had been virtually forgotten
in this country until he commercially released the 1974 vintage in
the fall of 1977.
Phelps' latest venture is the development of 80 acres of Pinot Noir
and 19 acres of Chardonnay in the Freestone area of Sonoma County,
along with the construction of a small winery which is estimated to
be completed by the 2007 harvest.
William Phelps, Joe's son, has recently been named Chairman of Joseph
Phelps Vineyards; Tom Shelton is President and CEO; and Craig Williams,
who will be celebrating his 30th anniversary at Phelps next year,
is Executive Vice-President and Director of Winemaking.
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