1974 Joseph Phelps "Insignia" Napa Valley Proprietary Red

Robert Parker writes: "I remember this vintage well as it was one of The Wine Advocate's earliest, highly recommended wines. It was also a game-changer, although that was not recognized by anyone (including me) at the time. This was the first of the Bordeaux blend wines that later became known as Meritage wines, although I disliked that name so much I refused to use it, calling the wines Proprietary Red Blends instead. The 1974 Insignia was bottled in January, 1977; case production was 670 cases; and the alcohol was 13.8%. It was fashioned from 94% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Steltzer Vineyard in Stags Leap and 6% Merlot from Stanton Vineyard. None of it came from estate fruit. The wine was aged 11 months in American and French oak."