The Duke has traditionally offered pre-sells on the fabulous Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia and the next-to-impossible to obtain Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Backus Vineyard. This year is no exception! We are especially excited about the 2005 vintage of these wines and the winery feels that they are among their finest efforts.

Robert Parker rated the 2005 Insignia 93-96 points on his 100-point scale and said: "The 2005 Insignia is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. Elegant and restrained (which is very much in keeping with the style of this vintage), the wine is also rich, dense, pure, with chocolatey cassis notes intermixed with hints of subtle wood, roasted herbs, and spice. It is ripe, rich, full-bodied, but in need of 4-5 years of bottle age. It should last for 25-30 years."

His opinion of the 2005 Backus is just as enthusiastic - 94 points and: "The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Backus Vineyard (92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Malbec) is backward and restrained, and like so many wines from this vintage, exhibits the cooler climate and European style of the Bordeaux varietals. It is a full-bodied, powerful wine, but it will need 5-7 years of bottle age, and last for at least three decades."

Please call the Duke to reserve your share of these Napa Valley classics for delivery in September, 2008. We will try to accomodate your requests for Insignia in magnums and double magnums.

Call the Duke today!!
We promise you will not be disappointed!