The 1974 Joseph Phelps Insignia is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Merlot. Alcohol is listed as 13.8%. It cost US$12.29 when I bought it shortly after release. The fill was still well in the neck and the cork was quite sound.
This wine is the equal of any of the top California wines of this era that I have had, such as Ridge Monte Bello. It is still quite dark scarlet with nearly no indication of age around the rim. Both the bouquet and taste are very intense, very complex, and very well balanced. There now is enough acidity and the medium tannins are now rounded. Words that come to mind include cassis, hint of blackberry, touch of spice, hint of pepper, hint of bell pepper. The finish is quite long. It has the sort of weight and general structure that you might get if you blended a full Ch. Latour with some Petrus, although it is quite different from both of these wines in bouquet and taste. You would have to be very critical to find a fault with this wine. It probably will last well for many more years, but I think it may now be at the peak.
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