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Rubicon
2013
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...
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Although it was one of the driest growing seasons on record, 2013 was a stellar vintage in large part because the vines were optimized by the ideal conditions of the previous year. The growing season produced a large crop, so the vines had to be thinned on multiple occasions, but these efforts paid off. The resulting fruit was highly expressive, well concentrated, and ideally balanced. Rubicon typically contains small percentages of other Bordeaux varietals, but because the Cabernet Sauvignon was so exceptional this vintage we felt it should stand on its own as a pure varietal.
Highly expressive with extraordinary quality and character, the 2013 Rubicon offers upfront aromas of cherries, black currants, and dark chocolate with substantial presence of oak, toast, and floral notes that continue evolving as the wine opens up. A dense, voluminous palate imbued with very fine tannins showcases flavors of dark crushed berries, cassis, and smoky wood. As the flavors gradually broaden, nuances of tobacco leaves and spices emerge. There is a precision and elegance to this vintage, which finishes with freshness due to the balanced natural acidity. Expect beautiful development as this wine matures.
Subtle and complex red with blackberry, black truffle, sweet tobacco and mahogany. Highlights of lavender and violets. Full-bodied and very tight with finesse and tension. Very polished, fine tannins. Long finish. Delicious already, but best after 2022.
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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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Blackberry, blueberry, fresh mushroom and Spanish-cedar aromas. Full body and silky tannins with a lovely high tone of chocolate, currants and berries.
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Owner Francis Ford Coppola has a gem with winemaker Chris Phelps, formerly of Swanson Vineyards, Dominus and Petrus. He joined in 2016, working with Château Margaux’s Philippe Bascaules to reshape winemaking here. The Cabs are fresher, more elegant and balanced; this 2015 is fleshy and generous, without being extracted.
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A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon bursts out of the glass with exuberant Chinese five spice, baked plums and crème de cassis notes with suggestions of sandalwood, dried mulberries, kirsch and menthol plus a touch of cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the palate with loads of spicy flavors and fantastic freshness, framed by chewy tannins and finishing on a lingering earthy note. 3, 622 cases produced.
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Inglenook's 2018 Rubicon is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, all aged 18 months in 75% new French oak. Scents of wood-grilled cherries, graham crackers and mint mark the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is tannic but ripe, with a certain austerity and reserve. It finishes long, which augurs well for the future, but it just isn't particularly charming right now.
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Deep ruby-purple in colour, with a powerful and exotic nose of vanilla, cinnamon and ripe bramble fruits. Great density, the intense and sweet black fruits matched by chewy tannins. At this stage the structure somewhat dominates the palate, but the length of finish suggests the underlying cassis and damson will come through with bottle age as this wine knits together. (TP)
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This has an alluring beam of creamed raspberry and boysenberry fruit rolling through, laced with warmed red licorice, toasted vanilla and cedar hints. Has weight but comes off as stylish in the end. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2030. 3,622 cases made. — JM
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