2019 Inglenook Napa Valley Rutherford Blancaneaux

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 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 among the top wines from Napa Valley and this Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Rutherford and white Blancaneaux is now only distributed via the Place du Bordeaux to affiliated wine merchants (including Grand Crus of course) as is the case for other icons such as Harlan, Insignia and Opus One). Sharing its name with one of The Family Coppola hotels in Belize, Blancaneaux - which means "white waters" in French - is rightly Inglenook's most prominent white wine. From the first harvest in 1999 to the 2002 harvest, Blancaneaux used the characteristics of Chardonnay along with three varieties from the Rhône Valley - Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne - but since 2003 the blend consists exclusively of those three Rhône varieties in proportions that best suit the overall appearance. Like Rubicon, Blancaneaux doesn't describe any one grape personality, but speaks volumes about the Inglenook terroir that contributes to the range of nuanced flavors, density and mix of aromatic interests.

The Blancaneaux 2019 is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc supplemented with Marsanne & Semillon. The Ingelnook blancaneaux is a truly elegant wine with a beautiful aromatic complexity. Certainly floral, with delicate hints of rose and lime blossom and there is clear summer fruit with notes of pear, apricot, lychee and honey. Round, fresh and luxurious in the mouth, the wine has a long, graceful finish.

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

FACT: In the tab 'Attachments' you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send you this when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous and Wine Spectator via the links next to the image. A free service for our customers.

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• Grilled chicken fillet with peach chutney and roasted fennel
  The light spiciness of fennel and the sweet and sour character of peach enhance the fruity and floral notes in the wine, while the tender chicken reflects the creamy texture.

• Baked cod with beurre blanc and pea puree
  The full body of the wine complements the rich butter sauce, while the light minerality of the cod and fresh peas support the aromatic profile.

• Risotto with lemon, mascarpone and fresh tarragon
  The creaminess of the risotto enhances the texture of the wine, while the citrus and herbs accentuate the floral character and soft acidity.

• Pumpkin ravioli with sage butter and almond crunch
  The sweet notes of pumpkin and nutty almonds go beautifully with the apricot and honey accents in the wine. The sage brings out the spiciness.

• Salmon with a crust of pistachio and orange zest, served with roasted carrot and parsnip
  The oily salmon calls for a full-bodied wine, while the nuts and citrus resonate perfectly with the richness and liveliness of Blancaneaux.

• Slow-cooked veal shank with saffron risotto and braised fennel
  A sumptuous combination where the deep flavours and spicy nuances of the dish are in harmony with the complexity of the wine. The saffron emphasises the aromatic richness.