Allergic-Info: This wine can contain sulfites
yr. 2019 Wine Enthusiast:
97 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2019 on 01.07.2022 with 97 of 100 points.
"With a grip of currant, dried herb, sage and cedar, this youthful wine is structured, elegant and tremendously ageworthy. Bright throughout in vibrant acidity, it is sophisticated in style, with an earthiness that endures, showcasing the incredible potential that continues to be realized from the organically farmed estate. Enjoy best from 2029-2034. This blends 81% Cabernet Sauvignon with 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Virginie Boone"
yr. 2011 Falstaff:
94 of 100 Points.
"Falstaff" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2011 on 01.06.2021 with 94 of 100 points.
"Intensives Bukett mit Noten von dunklen Waldbeeren, gedörrter Pflaume und Brombeerkonfitüre. Dazu frische Anklänge von Grapefruit und Sauerkirsche sowie würzige Noten. Am Gaumen vollmundig und zupackend. Kraftvolle Statur, Aroma von dunklen Waldbeeren und Karamell sowie Lakritze. Fein geschliffenes Tannin, langer Abgang."
yr. 2006 Falstaff:
95 of 100 Points.
"Falstaff" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2006 on 01.03.2020 with 95 of 100 points.
"Kräftiges Karmingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Noten von Lakritze und Cassis, ein Hauch von Tabak, etwas Walcholder, Nuancen von Kardamom, gut entwickeltes Bukett. Saftig, elegant, etwas Nougat am Gaumen, gut eingebaute Tannine, reife Pflaumen, ausgewogen, hat bereits eine gute Trinkreife entwickelt, ein Anflug von Dörrobst im Nachhall."
yr. 2016 Falstaff:
95 of 100 Points.
"Falstaff" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2016 on 01.03.2020 with 95 of 100 points.
"Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarter Wasserrand. Noten von zartem Nougat, ein Hauch von Karamell, rotes Waldbeerkonfit, zarte Edelholzwürze. Saftig, elegante Textur, reife Nuancen von Herzkirschen, frische Säurestruktur, finessenreich angelegt, etwas Nougat im Abgang, ein verführerischer, bereits gut antrinkbarer Speisenbegleiter, vielseitig einsetzbar."
yr. 2015 Falstaff:
94 of 100 Points.
"Falstaff" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2015 on 01.03.2020 with 94 of 100 points.
"Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Vom Cabernet dominiertes Bukett, Nuancen von Cassis und Brombeerkonfit, kandierte Orangenzesten, zartes Nougat, aber auch ätherische Würze. Dezente Kräuternote, schwarze Beerenfrucht, gut integrierte Tannine, angenehme Frische, würzig-schokoladig im Abgang, mineralischer Nachhall."
yr. 2010 Falstaff:
92 of 100 Points.
"Falstaff" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2010 on 01.03.2020 with 92 of 100 points.
"Kräftiges Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, breitere Randaufhellung. Zart nussig unterlegte Nuancen von Herzkirschen, aber auch rotes Waldbeerkonfit, zart nach Vanille, Backwerk und Kardamom, ein Hauch von Röstaromen. Saftig, mittlere Komplexität, feine Extraktsüße, reife, tragende Tannine, eine Spur weitmaschig, bleibt sehr gut haften, ein ausgewogener, gut antrinkbarer Speisenbegleiter."
yr. 2015 Wine Enthusiast:
95 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2015 on 01.08.2019 with 95 of 100 points.
"From the esteemed producer's gorgeous estate, including 3% Merlot, this is impressive and structured--a leathery, viscous and concentrated expression of a great site in an intense vintage. Gunpowder, oak and black-cherry compote form around brightly captured acidity and a lasting fistful of baking spice that lingers and softens the finish. Virginie Boone"
yr. 2016 Wine Enthusiast:
93 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2016 on 01.08.2019 with 93 of 100 points.
"This is an intriguingly feral, herbal and classically styled wine, dripping in sage, toasted oak and wrap-around tannin. Cranberry, clove and cassis form a tangle of nuanced, graceful flavor nestled within a core of impressive structure. This is one to put away for awhile; enjoy best 2026--2036. Virginie Boone"
yr. 2013 Wine Enthusiast:
94 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2013 on 01.01.2017 with 94 of 100 points.
"This vintage of the famous proprietary wine is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, a testament to how much the winemakers loved the variety on its own in this year. Root beer, cola and red plum notes make up its core of flavor, the texture velvety-soft. With its firm structure and clove accents, it will benefit from further time in bottle. Enjoy 2023-2033."
yr. 2014 Wine Enthusiast:
94 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2014 on 01.01.2017 with 94 of 100 points.
"Tiny amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot were added to this succulent, elegant wine with cassis, cranberry and black cherry flavors and rounded structure. A light note of cocoa dust and soft texture balance its exotically spiced lushness with delicious integration."
yr. 2009 Falstaff:
94 of 100 Points.
"Falstaff" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2009 on 01.10.2013 with 94 of 100 points.
"Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarter Wasserrand. Würzig unterlegte dunkle Beerenfrucht voll Cassis und Brombeeren, rauchige Nuancen, dunkle Mineralik. Sehr kraftvoll, muskulös, fast opulent und extraktsüß, mächtiges Tanninkleid, das noch sehr präsent ist, schwarze Frucht im Abgang, Gewürzanklänge im Finale, zeigt eine gute Länge, wird von weiterer Flaschenreife profitieren."
yr. 2008 Wine Enthusiast:
95 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2008 on 01.07.2013 with 95 of 100 points.
"Even though 2008 was not the greatest Cabernet vintage, Rubicon has produced one of the most delicious bottlings of the year. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with a little Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot for complexity, it's so delicious now, you might want to finish off the bottle. Soft and velvety, it appeals with blackberry and cherry pie filling flavors, and the oak appliqué is perfect. Combines the ripeness of this central Napa Valley vineyard with impeccable winemaker taste, resulting in a gorgeous wine. Will develop through this decade."
yr. 2007 Wine Enthusiast:
93 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2007 on 01.01.2010 with 93 of 100 points.
"New oak stands out in toast and caramelized wood sweetness on this Cab, overshining to some degree the underlying blackberry, cherry and black currant fruit. It's quite a fashionable, delectable young wine, and will probably be consumed too early by many people who buy it, but it's really a cellar candidate. Made with a few drops of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it should develop for 12-15 years."
yr. 2006 Wine Enthusiast:
94 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2006 on 01.01.2010 with 94 of 100 points.
"The new Rubicon, which is almost all Cabernet Sauvignon, brings to mind the 2003 and 2004. It doesn't have the sheer force of 2002 or 2005, but it's certainly a classic Rutherford wine, and has a good future. Bone dry, it shows herb-infused flavors of blackberries, cocoa, spices and smoky sandalwood, and yes, the tannins are dusty. Drinkable now, with a good decant, and should develop in the bottle over the next 6-8 years."
yr. 2004 Wine Enthusiast:
93 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2004 on 01.07.2009 with 93 of 100 points.
"At its best Rubicon stuns with power and richness. In lesser vintages (which are usually hotter ones) the wine, which is largely Cabernet Sauvignon, can be raisiny. While 2004 was a warm year, diligent viticulture paid off, resulting in an opulent wine with the purest expression of crushed cherries and blackberries, and oak-inspired hints of nougat and caramel. Fairly aggressive in tannins now, it should begin to open by 2008 and drink well for a decade."
yr. 2005 Wine Enthusiast:
96 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2005 on 01.01.2009 with 96 of 100 points.
"Made fromCabernet Sauvignon, with no Merlot or Cabernet Franc for the first time, the '05 Rubicon tastes bigger and more impenetrable than any previous vintage. It's thick and heavy at this time, with furry tannins and undeniably ripe flavors of blackberries, black currants, cherries, violets, chocolate and cedar, and a tang of melted minerals. Desperately needs time in the cellar. Nowhere near ready for at least four years, and that may be conservative. Tasted three times, and better each time, a seriously good sign, and potentially a perfect wine."
yr. 2003 Wine Enthusiast:
89 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2003 on 01.01.2007 with 89 of 100 points.
"This is a lush wine. It'sCabernet, with a few drops of Cab Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Distinctly Californian in the softness of tannins and low acidity, it's ready to drink now. The waves of cassis and notes of licorice, cola and new oak impress with their richness. However, this is the leanest Rubicon in years, missing the qualities of greatness. Drink now. 5,244 cases produced."
yr. 2002 Wine Enthusiast:
98 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2002 on 01.01.2006 with 98 of 100 points.
"Fragrant, showing cascades of violets, caramelized new oak, sweet cherry pie, cocoa and cassis aromas. In the mouth, it's unctuous, and floods the palate with sweet, savory flavors. Has a youthful jamminess right now, which will melt off and refine as time goes by. Such is the elegance and balance that cellaring it for 20 years will be no problem. This is the best Rubicon ever."
yr. 1997 Wine Enthusiast:
97 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 1997 on 01.01.2006 with 97 of 100 points.
"A masterpiece from this near perfect vintage. Completely ripe, classic and fresh, with oodles of red cherry and blackcurrant flavors that are generously oaked. Amazingly, the wine is still young and tannic. So beautifully structured, so smooth and polished, firm yet soft, just a gorgeous wine. Hold onto it until at least 2012, if you can."
yr. 1996 Wine Enthusiast:
87 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 1996 on 01.01.2006 with 87 of 100 points.
"Tasting a bit raisiny from this warm, dry year, with gobs of sweet cherries and cocoa. Lush, rich, full, still fairly tannic at the age of 9-1/2 years, the wine should continue to develop for an additional five to ten years."
yr. 2001 Wine Enthusiast:
90 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2001 on 01.01.2005 with 90 of 100 points.
"An excellent wine, and clearly an ager, but I don't think it's in the league of the magnificent '99. It's too young to enjoy now, to judge from the closed, astringent, oaky, tannic mouthfeel. But there's certainly some powerful cassis fruit. Hold until at least 2008. Eventually, it could stun."
yr. 1999 Wine Enthusiast:
94 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 1999 on 01.01.2003 with 94 of 100 points.
"A wonderfully refined wine, with firm, ripe tannins that fream an elegant blend of rich plum, balckberry, coffee, chocolate, cassis, black cherry, cedar and spice flavors. The finish is long and smooth, with a bright cherry boost at the end. Francis Coppola's benchmark wine."
yr. 2000 Wine Enthusiast:
90 of 100 Points.
"Wine Enthusiast" has rated the wine "Rubicon Estate Inglenook 'Rubicon' Red" from the vintage 2000 with 90 of 100 points.
"Showcases the shortcomings of the vintage as well as the strengths of its terroir and winemaking. The blackberry and cassis flavors are obviously short, and snap to an abrupt finish, but the textural complexity and oaky overlay are very fine. A charming wine meant for early drinking."
