1997 Joseph Phelps Insignia - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/24/2023)
Today would have been my father’s 80th birthday. Pulled this bottle from his cellar for a quiet memorial dinner. There has been a conventional belief that 1997 was the vintage where Napa went to the dark side. After sampling numerous 1997s over the last few months I have to disagree with that. 1997 was an excellent vintage that set in motion changes that were made in attempts to emulate it, and that’s where things went wrong. 1998-2000 were not years for big and balanced. Attempts to achieve that led to the blueberry milkshake excesses of the early to mid 2000s. This wine had excellent balance, with still prominent black fruit, as well as silky palate presence and emerging tobacco and earthy notes. There was sufficient structure for balance, but it was easily ignored, like a good referee - necessary but unobtrusive. My mom and I both loved the wine, though it would have been better shared by three.
One of my all time favorites and a nice tribute to your dad. Happy it showed well. Even happier you enjoyed it with your mom
My sympathies Dave, definitely would have been better among three as you stated.
That said, he’s giving you a moment even after his passing I take, and it sounds like it was time enjoyed with your family and you reflected fondly. Not a bad runner up.
All my best
Also one of my favorites. I still have a bottle and a magnum left.
Great wine in a great place right now. Fitting for such a special occasion.
Last week would have been my father’s 88th birthday, he passed away 4 yrs ago. His birthday still gets me. Nice that you could share it with your mother.
The 97 Insignia is one of the few wines of which I ever bought a case. Every few years one gets opened and I’m always surprised how much it reminds me of the previous times I tasted it. My wife agrees with you, David, she calls it the blackberry tobacco wine.
Nice wine, David, and a better tribute. Glad that you and your mother were able to share that bottle and enjoy it.
Thanks for sharing your tasting note on what I’m sure was an emotional day. I’m glad it showed well and that you got to share it with your mom.
We had a 90s Cab dinner last week and this was the group WOTN.
I haven’t written up my notes yet, but this is the list of wines:
1991
1.1 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 #10 (0)
1.2 Dunn Howell Mt. #9 (1)
1.3 Montelena Estate #10 (0)
1994
2.1 BV Georges de Latour
2.2 Dominus #8 (2)
2.3 Montelena Estate #5 (8)
1995
3.1 Mondavi Reserve #4 (9)
3.2 Phelps Insignia #3 (10)
3.3 Montelena Estate #6 (6)
1997
4.1 Mondavi Reserve #7 (3)
4.2 Phelps Insignia #1 (15)
4.3 Montelena Estate #2 (12)