Phelps Insignia

I have purchased the wine year after year. It has never disappointed me.
It is always well made, and cellars well. I order it every year from the winery on futures.

Has anyone noticed the tremendous rise in pricing the last couple of years?

I ordered the 2004 on futures @ $112 for 750 and $229 for mags. The winery is now selling them at the presale price of $160 & $324. The stated retail price will be $200 & $405.

The futures price for the 2005 is $130 & $265. The retail will be $200 & $ 405.

I wonder who will pay that retail price?

The only question, and answer Geo, is will you?

Not the retail! but I will stick around at the futures price for a year or two.

I've never had a Phelps Insignia, but a few years ago, my sons (working at minimum wage jobs) pitched in and bought me a bottle of the 1997 for Fathers Day. I plan on opening it one of these days. What food would you pair with this?

I was at Phelps' glorious winery 5 years ago and tasted this wine back then. While I remember enjoying the wine, not sure I would be willing to spend so much on it. I saw this wine on sale here in Philadelphia at the state store for $90 last year.

I would pair it with most roasted or broiled red meat or pan seared duck breast.

Check on the 2004 and 2005 when they are out. I think I paid $90 for the 2002's on futures

[David M. Bueker]

Insignia is a great wine. That said it's now out of my price range, especially when I can get Montelena and Monte Bello much cheaper through friends who are on those futures programs.

It's outta my dollar range, too; I think I have one bottle. I was at the winery in 1989 with my brother, who lives in SF. We arrived just a a big group was leaving. After a few minutes it was just my brother and I the young woman pouring. She gave us all the regular offerings and then, looking around and seeing no one else, went in the back and brought a bottle of Insignia; my first taste. What a pleasure and a great memory. I think we just about finished the bottle.

I haven't bought Insignia for many years - the price situation is even worse up here in Canada. Their regular cab is now $85 here.

Still have a bunch of Insignia from the 80s and early 90s back when it was reasonably priced.

If you want a treat, look for some of the old (1970s) Eisele Vd Cab - they later put this fruit into the Insignia.