2018 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon 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 the white Blancaneaux and this icon the Rubicon 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.

Production of Rubicon, Inglenook's flagship red wine, began in 1978. An elegant blend of the best vineyard blocks, Rubicon shows the highest potential of both the estate and the vintage. Under the guidance of Philippe Bascaules, Inglenook's Director of Winemaking, Rubicon proudly takes its place in many collections around the world.

Inglenook's 2018 Rubicon is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, all aged for 18 months in 75% new French oak. Aromas of toasted cherries, graham crackers and mint characterize the nose, while the medium to full palate is tannic but ripe, with a certain austerity and restraint. The long finish shows promise for the future, but at this point the wine is not particularly charming.

FACT: The winemaker of Inglenook is Philippe Bascaules, who is also the managing director of Château Margaux. In the tab: Attachment you will find the official factsheet of this wine. We will automatically send it to you when you order this wine.