Phelps Insignia

[Kcwhippet]

After all the hoopla on the 97 vintage, it appears the 98 version seems to have suffered from the stigma of 1998's questionable reputation. We have a six pack in the shop and not a single bottle has sold in three months. From what I've been able to glean from various sources, the 98 is supposed to be a very good wine. I haven't tried either one, though I do have some 97 in the cellar courtesy of my wonderful, thoughtful children. I'm considering adding some of the 98 to the cellar, and the 20% employee discount will help, but I'm wondering if anyone out there has any thoughts to sway me one way or the other. It's not like I need the 98, but it might be nice to start a vertical.

[winoweenie]

Hi KC and you have a great idea. The 97 is a wine of stupendous proportions. I tried the 98 and found it an exceptional wine, maybe a couple of points under classic, but certainly good 'nuff that I placed a 1/2 box of 750s' and 3 mags in the cellar. The 99 has finally made it into our market and I'll try it when I get off this (*&&^^%#$%&^* sabbatical. WW

[Kcwhippet]

Well, that did it. I guess I'll pick up some of the 98.

[winoweenie]

And as the poster says, " Have you hugged your kids today? " WW Mine DRINK my Insignia!

[RAD]

Ditto WW's comments. I've had the 98 Insignia, and while it has the stigma of the vintage , it's still great juice. I can find all I want here in NYC for $79 per--not cheap by any means, but way below the release price! For that matter, I can still pick up 750s of the 97 for $105--again, hardly cheap, but below the release price. There's still a glut of 98s on the mkt, IMHO, and it's making prices for everything better, especially here in NYC, where real estate (and shelf/storage space) is even more of a premium. With 99s coming in, the others gotta go!

RAD

[winoweenie]

If you think there's a glut of 98s', go back on this thread about a year where I gave the 97s' the great review and said not to panic if you missed the original releases because the vintage produced a prodigious volume of juice and there would several releases. That is probably what is happening on the 105 price for the 97 Radski. Just got another case of Beringer Alluvium at the release price (under 30 ) and BV Tapestry at the same. Life is GOOD! WW