Wines to Commemorate 50 Years

We are thrilled to introduce our Anniversary Cuvée, honoring the past 50 years of our winemaking journey. Selected from top-tier fruit from our Insignia vineyards, this special wine is a unique culmination of the best from 2019’s harvest. Joe Phelps loved to share his wines with friends, family, and loved ones, and he enjoyed opening large format bottles when gathering. When he would host at his home, he would often have his guests sign the bottles they enjoyed together as a memento of the great food, wines, and conversation they shared. This wine was meant for our members to share and celebrate with their own families and friends. We invite you to open this bottle with your loved ones, just as Joe loved to do.

Joseph Phelps Anniversary Cuvée, Napa Valley 2019

Winemaking Data

Blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, from estate-grown Napa Valley vineyards: 28% Yountville (Oak Knoll District), 19% Banca Dorada (Rutherford), 18% Suscol (South Napa Valley), 17% Home Ranch (St. Helena), 11% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District), 5% Barboza (Stags Leap District), 2% El Venedito (Oak Knoll District).

Aging: 24 months in 100% new French oak from coopers Taransaud, Dargaud Jaegle, Demptos, Marcel Cadet and Sylvain.

Winemaking Notes: The Anniversary Cuvée demonstrates vigorous notes of redwood bark, shaved dark chocolate and green cardamom. The palate reveals undertones of coffee, pomegranate and raspberry. An expressive wine offering complexity, lengthy finish and vivacity.

Growing Season: In 2019, Bud break occurred around the same time as 2018 but was delayed compared to our historical averages due to cold, saturated soils from the wet winter. May was cold with an unusual amount of rainfall which delayed bloom in some areas. Canopy management was key in 2019 because of vigorous canopies and moderate temperatures leading to less stress on the vines. July was cooler than average, but August and September warmed to push ripening ahead. Harvest weather patterns remained dry and fruit quality was excellent with well-developed flavors and structure. 2019 Insignia marks the first vintage to include fruit from the new Joseph Phelps vineyard named El Venedito, located in the Oak Knoll District, just south of the winery’s Yountville Vineyard

Joseph Phelps, 2018 Anniversary Blend Insignia

Winemaking Data

Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc from estate-grown Napa

Valley vineyards: 26% Las Rocas (Stags Leap District), 16% Yountville (Oak Knoll District), 16% Suscol (South Napa Valley), 13% Backus, 12% Home Ranch (St. Helena), 11% Banca Dorada (Rutherford), 6% Barboza (Stags Leap District).

Aging: 24 months in 100% new French oak from coopers Taransaud, Dargaud Jaegle, Demptos, Marcel Cadet and Sylvain.

Winemaking Notes: The anniversary wine opens with beautiful black cherry, tobacco and cocoa bean aromatics. The palate reveals undertones of freshly ground nutmeg and warm baking spices. The firm tannin structure leads to a fresh acidity and lengthy finish. A wine with balance, elegance and finesse.

Growing Season: The 2018 growing season in Napa Valley was marked by cool, mild weather. The cooler than normal spring delayed budbreak, bloom and veraison by two weeks compared to the previous five years. The mild weather patterns in August and September allowed for excellent overall phenological ripening and development of a complex aroma and flavor profile in the finished wines. Outstanding flavor development and color were key indicators of this exceptional vintage.