1986 Joseph Phelps, Insignia, Napa Valley

Joseph Phelps established Insignia as California's first proprietary red Bordeaux-style blend, conceived to represent the vintage's pinnacle expression rather than a single varietal focus. The 1986 bottling, composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, sourced grapes from diverse Napa Valley estate and grower vineyards to achieve intricate complexity. While the 1986 Napa growing season, marked by a wet winter and moderate temperatures, often yielded Cabernets with moderate tannins and limited longevity, Insignia's significant Merlot component was particularly advantageous. This resulted in a medium to full-bodied wine demonstrating remarkable density and richness, framed by supple tannins and persistent acidity that belie the vintage's general reputation for aging potential. The deliberate blending and meticulous vineyard selection enabled a structural integrity that continues to present with vigor.