**THIS WINE WILL SHIP THE END OF SEPTEMBER**

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Wine Advocate 97-100
The 2007 Insignia (a 13,500-case blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot) offers a seamless introduction to this flagship cuvee. Its inky/purple color is followed by aromas of creme de cassis, incense, crushed rocks, lead pencil shavings, cedar, and spice box. It possesses a massive, opulent mouthfeel, serious tannins, and no hard edges. This stunning effort should hit its peak in 5-8 years, and last 40 years. I would not be surprised to see it become the greatest Insignia to date and close in on a perfect score.

In case you think the aging curves I have described are unrealistically long, I have the Joseph Phelps regular Cabernets from the mid-seventies as well as the Insignias in my cellar, and those wines are still drinking beautifully at 30+ years of age. Today’s wines are better made.

Robert Parker #186, 12/09

Wine Advocate 95-97
Since 2004, 100% of the Bordeaux varietals used in the Insignia proprietary blend have been from estate vineyards. Perhaps the most brilliant Insignia since the 2002 and 2001 is the 2007 Insignia, composed of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. An inky/purple color is followed by aromas of espresso, smoked herbs, graphite, creme de cassis, and licorice. Full-bodied, opulent, flamboyant, and silky-textured, it possesses fabulous concentration as well as spectacular purity, depth, and length. This should be a captivating wine to drink when released, and age easily for 25-30 years. The debut Insignia, the 1974, which seemed almost too tasty and precocious when it was released in the late seventies, is still going strong at age 34! The 2007 is easily as good.

(Not yet released)

(Released, and age easily for 25-30 years. The debut Insignia, the 1974, which seemed almost too tasty and precocious when it was released in the late seventies, is still going strong at age 34! The 2007 is easily as good. )

The Freestone Vineyard, a 100-acre, cool climate site planted on the Sonoma Coast by Joseph Phelps, is finally coming into production, offering consumers a bevy of different Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. There are three Chardonnay offerings, all of which emphasize the minerality and citrusy characteristics of this varietal with little intrusive oak, despite the fact that they are barrel-fermented and aged primarily in new French oak. The Cabernet Sauvignon program consists of three wines, the Cabernet Sauvignon, their famous proprietary red wine called Insignia, and their single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the western hillsides of Oakville, called Backus. The regular Cabernet is a solidly made, reliable effort usually comprised of about 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot, and occasionally Malbec. The single vineyard offering comes from Oakville’s Backus Vineyard. There are typically 1,500-2,500 cases produced from this biodynamically farmed vineyard.

Robert Parker  #180, 12/08

International Wine Cellar 94 points

"Full deep ruby. Urgent aromas of crushed cassis, bitter chocolate, violet, licorice and minerals; almost medicinal today. Then juicy and bright in the mouth, with sharper definition and more depth of material than the 2006. Lovely graphite and violet perfume perks up the dark fruit flavors and gives lift to the finish. Finishes with substantial fine tannins and excellent length. Range: 92-94"  

Winemaker Notes

Grapes were harvested between September 4 – October 15, 2007, at an average 24.5o Brix, fermented in stainless steel tanks, then aged 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels from coopers Taransaud, Dargaud Jaegle, Nadalie, Demptos, Marcel Cadet and Sylvain. The darkly pigmented 2007 Insignia is a perfect example of the amazing color this vintage produced. Rich aromatics of mineral, baking spices, dark chocolate, graphite, and opulent plum and blackberry lead to the concentrated and balanced mouthfeel. Silky, well structured tannins, core black fruit and sweet oak notes from our estate vineyards create length and weight that will allow this beautiful wine to age, as well as remain approachable in its youth.

2007 Vintage Notes

January through March were drier than in previous years. Soils dried
out prematurely, and in order to bring moisture to the root zone we began to till early. Budbreak arrived early with the warming temperatures that
spring brought. Bloom also came early with near perfect weather throughout this period. This ensured good berry set for all varieties. Summer temperatures for the most part were temperate and consistent. Due to the low rain fall during the winter months the vines matured more rapidly, canes lignified earlier and the period from veraison to harvest
was shorter than our historical average. 2007 cluster weights were between 23% and 45% lower than historical weights, leading to lower yields. As the summer progressed, irrigation strategies and canopy management became key factors in developing fruit quality. Overall fruit was excellent and 2007 is considered one of the best vintages of the
past decade.