A little help from the wine pro's please..
 

I'm sneaking this one in but I'm desperate. I'm trying to buy a bottle of wine for my husband for Christmas, but I can't remember the year! It's a Joseph Phelp's Cabernet, should run about $90-$100, but I can't remember the year (maybe 96 or 97?). Does anyone know what year I would be looking for in that price range, and where I might be able to find a bottle at a good price in the NY metro area? Thank you, I know this isn't a travel question, but I also know that there are some real wine aficianados here who can help me.

Try Le Mistral or a '99 or '98 Backus.<BR>If you need to research more, there is a site for Joseph Phelps..try putting it into Google and see what you can find. Have fun!

http://www.jpvwines.com/<BR><BR>Joseph Phelps Vineyard site.

Thanks wife, I know you share my burden.

You are probably looking for the Insignia Cabernet which is a cab blend and their high-end offering. You can pick up the 1997 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Blend Insignia for $99.99 at K&amp;D Wines at 1366 Madison Avenue, NYC. You can also find it at Diplomat Wines at 939 Second Avenue, NYC but they're selling it for $149.99. The '97 &quot;outrates&quot; the '96 per most professional reviewers, but it's really just a matter of preference. Good luck!<BR>

Thank you Snowflake! That's it! You've just made my life easier.

Glad to help! Happy Holidays.

You can also try Sherry Lehman on Madison. I believe they deliver.

Technically Insignia is a blend or Meritage. They do not call it a &quot;cabernet blend.&quot; It is the 97 that had a very good review (as most 97's did) but the 98 is not a bad choice either. Cheers!

Thanks. I am looking for someplace that ships. I was going out today, but since it's now sleeting, I'll order in!

I would also look at Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon &quot;Backus Vineyard&quot; as it is a delicious wine and worth every penny compared to Insignia.

Wino: 1997 Joseph Phelps Vineyards Cabernet Blend Insignia is the way it is listed on wineaccess.com . . . I pulled it from there. Never mind, Opus One is my blend of choice anyway ;-)

Yes, I understand that but many sites list Blends, Meitages and Cabs incorrectly. Technically it is a cab most years, if not all, because of the % of the blend but they prefer to think of it as a Bordeaux blend so it doesn't compete with their single vineyard Cab. Opus is also technically a cab most years as well.

&quot;Wino&quot; is correct. And to add more confusion not all blends can call themselves a Meritage, only those that meet the criteria and then also pay a fee to the Meritage Association to use that term. J. Phelps chooses not to.

I wanted to add that if you are a fan of J.Phelps wines be sure to pick up a bottle of their Merlot. It is yummy!

I love this site. I learn new stuff all the time. And are you pulling my leg with the Meritage classification being a proprietary name per an Association? So Cain Cellars or Merryvale pay an Association money for the privilege of using that word?

If you're into the $100 price point, you can do better than a CA cab, Phelps or no.<BR><BR>Pardon my pith, but the joy of wine is not going to be grapsed by anyone who gets on Fodors and announces they have $100 to blow on wine, and wants some help with the label.<BR><BR>Go telephone Sherry Lehman and talk with the sales staff. They'll take your hundred and give you whatever you want.<BR><BR>Gadzooks! The wealthy make one yearn for the sun and an end to this stupid icy rain.

Yes. Here is a site with more info.<BR>http://www.meritagewine.org/

There is a site for it. Just go under Google and do a search.

Oopps. I didnt see that Wine lover found one. Sorry. Thanks.