Handford Wines

Founded in 1972, the winery and home vineyards of Joseph Phelps are located in Spring Valley near St. Helena, on a 600-acre ranch that is characterized by rolling hills, California native oaks, and 160 acres of meticulously tended vines. The first Phelps wine, 1973 Johannisberg Riesling, was introduced in the fall of 1974. Since then, production has grown to 100,000 cases annually, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot serving as the winery's core varietals. The Phelps portfolio also includes — in years when weather conditions permit — luscious dessert wines made from Johannisberg Riesling Scheurebe, Semillon and Muscat. Long known for his innovative spirit and passion for quality, Joe Phelps pioneered a number of 'firsts' in the early years of the winery. The 1974 Insignia — released in the spring of 1978 — was the first Bordeaux-style blend produced in California under a proprietary label. The release of the 1974 Syrah in 1977 sparked industry-wide interest in a remarkable French varietal whose plantings in California had disappeared and been virtually forgotten for over half a century. And in 1990, after years of research, a whole new family of Rhone-style wines was introduced under the Vin du Mistral label and included Syrah, Viognier, Grenache Rosé, and a delicious red wine blend called Le Mistral.

The Wine

The light, pedestrian 2003 Insignia (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, and the rest equal parts Malbec and Merlot), while outstanding, is not one of the most inspirational examples of this proprietary blend. Medium-bodied with an evolved, sweet nose of chocolate, black currants, plums, and toasty new oak, this rich, ripe, well-balanced 2003 does not possess the persistence or depth of the 2002 or 2001. Drink the 2003 over the next 10-15 years." - 91 Points - Robert Parker

Single Bottle: £115.00

In a case of 12: £109.25