2004 Joseph Phelps, Insignia, Napa Valley

The 2004 Joseph Phelps Insignia marks a pivotal vintage, representing the first time this Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux-style blend was composed entirely of fruit from the winery’s diverse estate vineyards across Napa Valley. Sourced from meticulously farmed sites including Spring Valley Home Ranch, Stags Leap, Oak Knoll, and Rutherford, the wine reflects a deliberate focus on site-specific expression and structural integrity. The 2004 growing season featured an early bud break and consistent warmth, punctuated by a significant late-summer heat spell that concentrated yields into small, intensely flavored berries. Fermented and matured for 24 months in new French oak, this vintage presents a dense, powerful framework. The result is a wine with a rich, forward structure, defined by firm yet supple tannins that contribute to a broad mid-palate and a persistent finish, indicating considerable ageability.