One 6L Bottle of Joseph Phelps Insignia Auction Reserve Proprietary Cab Blend, 2004.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
The 2004 vintage marks the first time Insignia has been blended entirely from estate-grown fruit - the fulfillment of a dream that has taken many years to realize. The low-yield vintage produced a wine with syrupy blackberry and blueberry aromas married with seductive spice, followed by velvety tannins, roundness in the finish and outstanding texture, all of which are superbly integrated.

2004 VINTAGE NOTES:
High quality and reduced yields characterized the 2004 vintage, which started out quite warm in early spring, then settled into a balmy weather pattern through July and most of August where mornings were cool and afternoon temperatures stayed in the low to mid-90's. However, on August 27th a three-week heat spell began with many days measuring over 100 degrees. As a result, some of the ripening fruit became dehydrated and had to be removed from the vines prior to harvesting. Depending on location, crop yields were reduced ten to forty percent. Our job in crafting the 2004 wines was to moderate over-ripe characteristics, but from the very beginning the aromas and flavors drifting out of the fermenters signaled outstanding quality. Color and extract were high. In barrel, reds appeared rich and forward in structure -- characteristics that have continued to evolve and develop with bottle age.