Inglenook

Inglenook Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

California

Napa Valley

The 2014 Rubicon is a blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet in color with a touch of brick, it comes tearing out of the glass with powerful notes of crème de cassis, stewed plums, and dried herbs, followed by hints of tree bark, truffles and, rose oil. The full-bodied palate is solidly structured with firm grainy tannins and a lively line, finishing long and earthy.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

The 2022 Rubicon, tasted as a barrel sample and composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.1% Cabernet Franc, 6.1% Merlot, and 2.8% Petit Verdot, is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of black cherry compote, warm cassis, and boysenberry preserves leap from the glass, leading to touches of violets, cedar chest, and tilled soil. The medium to full-bodied palate reveals a fine-grained texture of nice ripe tannins and bags of freshness to frame the tightly wound black fruit layers, finishing on a lingering ferrous note.

Intense, powerful and concentrated, full of dark brambled fruits, with cocoa bean, smoked almonds, espresso, a series of tiny pulses of crushed rock minerality. Captures the power of Rutherford without sacrificing finesse or pleasure, just a gorgeous wine that is so easy to fall in love with. The muscular tannins need a few year before fully opening, and could be held back in bottle for a decade or more, or ensure a good long carafe. Todd Devincenzi director, Philippe Bascaules winemaker.

Inside Bordeaux

Austere on the opening beats, still closed down at this point, allow it to take a few breaths before the tannic frame opens up. The concentration and spice of the vintage see the black Cabernet fruits shot through with grilled sandalwood, cocoa bean, tea, cigar box and cloves, emphasising the concentration and power of this magical site. The winemaking team with director Philippe Bascaules have teased nuance and freshness alongside, with pomegranate and oyster shell adding a rising curve of juice through the finish. As ever it is hard to resist. Francis Ford Coppola owner. All aged in French oak barrels, 75% new.

The 2019 Rubicon is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little swirling to bring out classic notes of cassis, plum preserves, and juicy blackberries, followed by hints of wild sage, mocha, black olives, and crushed rocks with a waft of aniseed. The medium to full-bodied is taut and muscular, featuring rich black fruits and a lively backbone with velvety tannins, finishing long and lifted.

There is the smokiest, sexiest, barely there and yet so precise sense of power. Just a great mix between the generosity of Napa and the elegance and balance of a European winemaking mindset. The tannins show sinew and muscle but allow juice to flow through them from beginning to end. An excellent vintage that once again shows Rubicon setting the pace for Rutherford Cabernet, and proving how nuanced and thrilling it can be. All aged in French oak barrels, 75% new. Philippe Bascaules winemaking director.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Rubicon comes bounding out with exuberant notes of stewed red and black plums, Morello cherries, and creme de cassis with hints of rose oil, sandalwood, and Chinese five spice, plus a waft of tobacco leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a racy line of freshness and soft tannins, with perfumed black and red berry layers and a spicy finish.

The 2016 Rubicon, 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc, requires a little shaking to wake up concentrated notes of black cherry compote, creme de cassis, and boysenberry preserves, leading to suggestions of chocolate mint, cumin seed, cardamom, and Sichuan pepper. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, with very firm tannins and a refreshing backbone supporting the generous black fruit and earthy layers, finishing with epic length.

Deep garnet in color, the 2015 Rubicon comes barreling out of the glass with flamboyant notes of blackcurrant cordial, kirsch, blueberry pie, and candied violets, with suggestions of spice cake, incense, unsmoked cigars, and star anise. The full-bodied palate is impactful, with exotic spices accenting the black, red, and blue fruit preserves layers supported by plush tannins, and finishing long and opulent.

The 2013 Rubicon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is deep garnet in color. It prances out with notes of creme de cassis, blackberry preserves, and chocolate-covered cherries with a waft of lilacs, clove oil, potpourri, and tobacco leaf. The full-bodied palate is tightly wound with bright acidity and very firm, grainy tannins, featuring loads of mineral and earthy sparks and finishing long and savory. This is so, so multi-layered and gorgeous!

Deep garnet in color, the 2012 Rubicon opens with notes of bay leaves, damp soil, tobacco, and cedar over a core of stewed plums and baked blackcurrant. The full-bodied palate delivers bags of savory laced black fruits with a chewy texture and a rugged finish.

2022	No priceNot available	Extraordinary
2021	No priceNot available	Extraordinary
2020	No priceAvailable	Extraordinary
2019	No priceAvailable	Extraordinary
2018	No priceNot available	Extraordinary

Category	Red wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Inglenook
Vintages	2014
Country	US, California, Napa Valley
Bottle	75 cl

Alcohol	%
Acid	%
Sugar	g/l

Packaging
Cork type
Selection
Wholesaler
Carrier