Wine Advisor
Inglenook, Rubicon 2013
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Description
Since its inaugural vintage in 1978, Rubicon has been the Estate's premier red wine, reflecting the soul of the property and expressing Francis Coppola's wish to create a Bordeaux-styled grand wine, that is, "a wine that can please contemporary taste, but with a historical aspect [that defines] our vineyards at their zenith." Rubicon was named after the small river crossed by Julius Caesar in 49 B.C., declaring his intention to gain control of Rome, thereby launching a civil war among opposing factions. Over time the phrase "crossing the Rubicon" has come to signify any irreversible action with revolutionary intent or the outcome of which holds great risk. True to its uncommon depth, Inglenook's Rubicon continues to be a testament to the finely tuned rendering of a risk well-taken.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon, which is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, has a deep ruby/purple color, is somewhat compact and closed. The wine reveals good fruit and seems tightly knit, but not terribly expressive. Coincidence or not, in tasting over 3,000 of the top wines in 2013 this wine is at one of the lowest alcohol levels of the of any of the wines - at 13.8%. Drink now-2025.
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
Inglenook's 2013 Rubicon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, matured in French oak (75% new). It's minty and cedary up front, marked by slightly sappy notes and ripe cherries. Aristocratic and firmly structured, it's medium to full-bodied, tannic yet silky, with terrific length on the finish. It appears to be just entering its drinking window, with the ability to evolve positively for a decade or more.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon emerges from the back part of the property, which lies on the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Here the wines are dense, powerful and structured. That is exactly what comes through in the 2013. Layers of dark fruit built into a crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures laced with mocha, espresso, gravel and dark spice overtones. The new oak that was so prominent at the outset has begun to integrate and in so doing is allowing the fruit to come through to a greater degree than in the past. This is a tremendous showing for the 2013 Rubicon.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Scorched earth, graphite, smoke, lavender, plums and blueberry jam race across the palate in the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon. A big, dramatic wine, the 2013 is endowed with explosive energy to burn. Orange peel, flowers, mint and sweet spices give the 2013 an extra kick of lift to balance the sheer opulence of the fruit. The French oak is much better balanced here than in the 2012, which helps convey a more classic style throughout, but it is still quite evident.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is an infant. In this vintage, the Rubicon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, as all the blenders went into the cask. Still, what comes through most today is the deep, powerful style of the vintage. Layers of primary dark fruit build through the mid-palate and into the finish, but the 2013 is still quite raw and not fully formed, as many wines are in this vintage. The 2013 Rubicon looks like a fascinating wine to follow over the next 20+ years.
About the Producer
Inglenook's Chateau winery is completed. Conceived to be a state-of-the-art facility, the Chateau's design is based on gravity-flow, one of the first of its type in Napa Valley, and includes an early form of rebar—using cable from cable-cars in San Francisco—to stave off earthquake tremors and to help the building shift safely during the crush process. True to his fastidious nature in each step of the winemaking process, Niebaum devises California's first grape-sorting table and also installs the state's first bottling line to ensure the wines' provenance from growth to bottle, the latter always bearing the California Pure Wine Stamp and secured with an intricate wire maze to guarantee the wine's integrity.
