Cabernet Sauvignon  2013

INGLENOOK

Cabernet Sauvignon
2013

  • Sustainable
Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
California
Subregion
Napa
Appellation
Varietal(s)
Cabernet Sauvignon 93 %
Cabernet Franc 5 %
Petit Verdot 1 %
Merlot 1 %
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website

About this winery

Founded by a successful Finnish sea Captain, Gustave Niebaum, in the 1880’s, Inglenook Estate in Rutherford California was once the most highly regarded of the earliest, great Napa Valley estate wineries. Over the years the estate passed through the hands of Niebaum’s descendants. Eventually the family started to sell off plots of the historic homestead. Even the proud name was put on the market in 1964 and sold to a corporation as merely a brand name. But in 1975, Francis Ford Coppola...

See the INGLENOOK detail page for more information on this brand

Production notes

Over the last few years, we’ve refined our Cabernet Sauvignon program, using smaller boxes for picking, a new destemmer that is gentler on the fruit, and we apply greater scrutiny during the fermentation process by evaluating individual blocks of fruit daily to determine which will benefit from pump overs. Also, this vintage, we implemented by-the-hour pay for our pickers rather than by-the-ton, as an additional quality measure that encourages our vineyard staff to pick more slowly, be gentler with the fruit, and focus on selecting higher quality clusters as a means of pre-sorting. These methods have greatly enhanced the quality of our Cabernet Sauvignon. Unlike Rubicon, which is aged exclusively in French oak, we age our Inglenook Cabernet in a combination of French and American oak for 18 months, this year using a large percentage of new oak to support the tannin structure.

Tasting notes

The 2013 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon is a voluminous wine with upfront sweetness and fine, powdery tannins that develop intensity. Highly aromatic and immediately expressive, the palate reflects the nose with fragrant nuances of red and black fruits that include raspberries, cherries, blueberries, plums and blackberries, all enlivened by exotic spices, notes of tobacco, and a touch of dark chocolate. This is a big wine, one that demonstrates great texture, a freshness brought about by balanced natural acidity, and a long, rapturous finish. It will continue to evolve over the next 10-20 years.

Press reviews

Vinous

- 96 points -

Antonio Galloni, December 2018 (Vintage 2015)

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is a dark, exotic beauty. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, and menthol make a strong opening statement as this bold, sumptuous wine shows off its personality. Radiant, supple and super-expressive, the 2015 is just as enjoyable as it has always been. The 2015 is just starting to open up, but it remains very, very young. Time in the glass brings out an attractive floral component that adds lift.

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James Suckling

- 95 points -

May 2017 (Vintage 2015)

Blackberries and wet earth with hints of peat. Full body, beautiful fruit and hints of chocolate, tar and spices. Lovely length, too. Excellent potential. 

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Decanter

- 94 points -

(Vintage 2017)

A classic Napa Cabernet, smooth and rich, softly spoken with swirls of black fruits and gentle spice. This will age but there is no need to wait too long as the sides are already smoothed out. A great entry point to Rubicon, showing how carefully Inglenook walks the line between richly powerful concentrated Cabernet and a fresher lean style of wine. No trace of over ripeness or the smoke that impacted the very end of the picking. Tasted twice. 95ha estate on a huge, almost 700ha estate. Philippe Bascaules director of winemaking. 50% new oak. Blend completed with 1% Petit Verdot.

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James Suckling

- 94 points -

(Vintage 2017)

Aromas of currants, blackberries and violets follow through to a medium body and firm, tight tannins that give it length and structure. This needs time to soften. Better after 2022.

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 Wine Enthusiast

- 93 points -

(Vintage 2017)

With an elongated frame of great structure and elegance, this wine shows bright red fruit and moderate grip within a backbone of acidity and freshness. Chocolate-truffle richness is complemented by clove, cedar and dried herb, with a lasting touch of vanilla

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Wine Advocate

- 92 points -

Lisa Perrotti-Brown, October 2018 (Vintage 2015)

Blended of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple colored and features a boisterous nose of blueberry pie, blackcurrant cordial and Black Forest cake with suggestions of chocolate mint, potpourri, baking spices and cedar chest. Full-bodied and concentrated in the mouth, it has a solid frame of chewy tannins and just enough freshness to lift the densely packed fruit to a long finish. 7,034 cases produced.

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Decanter

- 92 points -

Linda Murphy, July 2018 (Vintage 2015)

Owner Francis Ford Coppola has renamed his Cask Cabernet - second wine to Rubicon - and it's a fine drink for the money in the rarified air of Napa. Winemaker Chris Phelps used all five Bordeaux red grapes from seven vineyard blocks, and the wine is loaded with savoury spice, rich dark fruits and silky tannins. Cellar Rubicon and drink this while you wait. 50% new French oak.

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Wine Spectator

- 91 points -

(Vintage 2017)

Elegant, with a core of red currant, damson plum and dark cherry fruit flavors carried by a fine-grained, cedar-tinged spine, ending with light incense and mineral hints. Drink now through 2029. 7,750 cases made.

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Wine Spectator

- 90 points -

2019 (Vintage 2015)

A solid, broad-shouldered version, with raspberry, red currant and blackberry notes, melded with singed tobacco, vanilla and cedar details. A bit chunky in feel, but offers good, gutsy fruit. Best from 2020 through 2028. 7,034 cases made

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