1986 Joseph Phelps Insignia

This surprisingly rich, dark garnet-colored Insignia displays notes of cedarwood, tobacco leaf, black currants, graphite and damp earth. Medium to full-bodied with remarkable density, richness and vigor for its age, one would think that with this much Merlot in the blend it would be near the end of its life, but that's not the case. It appears to have reached its plateau of full maturity, but it should drink well for another decade or more. Another strong performance by an Insignia from the mid-eighties, this 4,000-case blend follows nearly the same formula as the 1984 and 1985 (23% from estate fruit and the rest from growers). The final blend was 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.