In the late 1960’s, Joseph Phelps, a successful construction company owner from Colorado, came to the Napa Valley to build a winery for Souverain (now Rutherford Hill). Like many others, he fell in love with the region and the industry and in 1974, he completed construction on his own eponymously named Joseph Phelps Winery, just in time to harvest the first vintages of Syrah and Insignia. Four decades later, Phelps Insignia is recognized as one of the world’s great and most highly-rated wines.

Over the years, the goal of becoming 100% estate grown resulted in carefully planned acquisitions of prime vineyards in the Napa Valley. Since 2004, all Phelps wines are made from estate-grown fruit, including Phelps Insignia, the estate labeled Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier, the Oakville single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Backus’, Eisrebe, a dessert wine made from the Scheurebe grape, and Syrah from the Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard.

Joe Phelps also had a life-long love affair with the wines of Burgundy and a desire to craft wines in that style. He found the ideal spot for the perfect combination of climate, soil and location in Freestone, in the Sonoma Coast AVA. In 1999, he began developing 100 acres of vineyards just outside of Freestone and in 2005, construction began on a new winery. Today, 80 acres of Pinot Noir and 20 acres of Chardonnay produce remarkable estate-grown wines bearing the Joseph Phelps name under the Freestone label.

First produced from the iconic 1974 vintage, Phelps Insignia is the first proprietary Bordeaux-style blend produced in California. Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, each vintage is comprised of the best grapes from Joseph Phelps Vineyards, initially from both grower and estate fruit, and beginning with the 2004 vintage, from entirely estate-grown fruit sources. Grapes from six of the Joseph Phelps estate vineyards go into Insignia: Spring Valley Home Ranch Vineyard in St. Helena, Banca Dorada Vineyard on the Rutherford Bench, Las Rocas and Barboza Vineyards in the Stags Leap District, Yountville Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District and Suscol Vineyard in South Napa Valley.

The 2018 Joseph Phelps Insignia Proprietary Red Wine is a truly extraordinary blend, hailing from the exquisite vineyards of California's North Coast, specifically the Napa region. This magnificent concoction, composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc, reveals the exceptional craftsmanship of the Producer, Joseph Phelps.

As you pour this deep garnet-purple liquid into your glass, you'll be immediately greeted with an intoxicating bouquet. The primary notes of blackberry and black chocolate are beautifully intertwined with subtle hints of mint, conifer, and clove. As you delve deeper, you may detect the sweet scent of tobacco, violets, and a dash of graphite that adds an intriguing complexity.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, displaying an exquisite balance and layered texture. The ultra-fine, dusty tannins add structure and depth, leading to a wonderfully long, savory, and refined finish. The black fruit flavors are tightly wound yet crunchy, while the spicy end note adds a delightful surprise.

Despite its youth, the 2018 Insignia exhibits remarkable balance, with a firm backbone of fine-grained tannins and bold freshness. This wine is certainly approachable and gorgeous now, but it can also be cellared to develop further. The critics' scores are impressive, with a 99 from James Suckling and 98 from both Jeb Dunnuck and Wine Enthusiast, suggesting this is one of the best Insignias ever.

This is not just a bottle of wine; it's a symphony of flavors and aromas that evolves and comes alive with each sip. Whether you enjoy it now or decide to let it mature, the 2018 Joseph Phelps Insignia Proprietary Red Wine is unquestionably a timeless treasure.