My early notes stated that the wine was sumptuous, very rich and incredibly impressive, but needed to be drunk within its first decade of life. Well, in September, 2013, approaching 40 years of age, it is even better than it was 36 years ago. So much for crystal balling the potential of these wines. Of course, 1974 was an unusually warm year with a fabulous Indian Summer, and the results were very ripe, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignons that a few critics thought were over-the-top and too rich. How often we hear those same complaints, with the same phony indignation, today. When tasted in September, 2013, the 1974 Insignia exhibited a dark garnet color as well as an incredible, sweet, Pauillac-like nose of Christmas fruitcake, cedarwood, rich plum and red and black fruits, and a hint of underbrush. It possesses a noble freshness and sweetness and the fruit is holding beautifully. Never in my wildest imagination could I have believed this 1974 would perform at a nearly perfect level nearly 40 years after it was made. This profound wine makes a mockery of one of the biggest sham arguments in the wine world put forth by critics who say California wines don't age.- RP

The 1976 Phelps Insignia is essentially the Eisele Vineyard bottling in this drought year, as the Insignia did not become a more merlot-influenced Bordeaux blend until the 1977 vintage, and the first three vintages this cuvée was envisioned as the top of the line, cabernet sauvignon bottling from the winery. Consequently, the 1976 is ninety-four percent cabernet from the Eisele Vineyard. It has been a few years since I last reported on this great wine, with my most recent bottle showing a bit more of the influence from this very arid vintage, with the bouquet offering up scents of roasted cassis, eucalyptus, a touch of tariness, Cuban cigar smoke, a beautiful base of soil, espresso and a touch of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and still fairly structured, with a bit of backend tannin still perking up the finish, a great core of fruit and outstanding length and grip on the balanced and complex finish. A beautiful bottle. 2010-2035+.