1987 Insignia

At this tasting, the 1987 revealed a dark amber color, a saline/Chinese black tea character, and hit the palate with some dusty tannins, earth, cedar wood and spice characteristics. The wine never fully expanded or opened up. It is certainly well-made and pure, but it seems angular, austere and lacking the charm, flesh and concentration of the finest vintages. I remember liking the 1987 more early in its life than I did at this vertical tasting. Only 2,500 cases were produced. The wine finished with 13.1% alcohol, and the blend was 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, a whopping 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. For the first time, the production was split evenly between estate and growers fruit. It was a relatively warm growing season with an early harvest, but low yields. In 1987, Phelps had their lowest Cabernet Sauvignon production since 1976, and virtually the entire Napa Cabernet crop was in the cellars by the end of September.