1982 Joseph Phelps, Insignia, Napa Valley

Joseph Phelps established Insignia as Napa Valley's seminal proprietary Bordeaux-style blend, with the intent of showcasing the finest expression of each vintage through deliberate blending. The 1982 bottling integrates fruit from Joseph Phelps' nascent estate vineyards and select growers across Napa, reflecting a diverse geological footprint. This "El Nino" vintage was characterized by abundant winter and spring rains, a large fruit set, and subsequent harvest-time dilution, necessitating a nuanced approach to ripeness. Consequently, the 1982 Insignia features an elevated 30% Cabernet Franc in its blend alongside 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, contributing to a structurally elegant and lighter-weight framework. Fifteen months in oak barrels further refined the wine, yielding a mature profile with resolved tannins and balanced acidity, characteristic of a challenging yet thoughtfully managed growing season.