2018 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Rutherford

If Captain Niebaum was partly responsible for introducing Cabernet Sauvignon to Napa Valley, then John Daniel Jr. was responsible for continuing his great-uncle's tradition of excellence and refining the varietal to respected status. In honor of Daniel's Cask Wines program, which he began in 1949, vintages bottled from 1995 through 2008 of the varietal were originally called Cask and bore oak veneer labels. Up until then, the wine had been 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in American oak barrels. The 2009 vintage, however, saw changes in both the name and the production and aging regime, and now Inglenook's Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec—depending on the desired profile—all of which are aged in French oak.

For years Inglenook has been one of the best from Napa Valley and this Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Rutherford and white Blancaneaux is only distributed via the Place du Bordeaux among the affiliated wine merchants (including of course Grand Cru wines) as is the case for other icons such as Harlan, Insignia and Opus One Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to John Daniel Jr., who produced the much-praised Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon from 1941 from Bordeaux vine cuttings at the Inglenook Estate by founder Gustave Niebaum. Today this striking wine is still made with organically grown fruit that is grown exclusively on the estate.

This Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine with great charm, energy and finesse. In the glass the Cabernet Sauvignon is opaque ruby red in colour and opens with aromas of ripe cassis, blackberry, espresso and cedar. Although powerful beneath the surface the wine is extremely focused and well balanced, with silky tannins, ample freshness and lively structure, leading to a crescendo in the long, polished finish.

FACT: The winemaker of Inglenook is Philippe Bascaules, who is also the managing director of Château Margaux.