2020 Inglenook Rubicon

96 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - The Wine Independant

The 2020 Rubicon, 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot, is deep garnet-purple in color. It tumbles out of the glass with gregarious notions of redcurrant jelly, black raspberries, and warm cassis, followed by hints of graphite, dried mint, and tar with a hint of licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate is bright and vivacious, with bags of red and black berry layers and gorgeous tension, supported by fine-grained tannins, and finishing on a lingering anise note. Impressive showing for this chalenging vintage! Drink 2026 – 2051 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, thewineindependent.com

96 POINTS

James Suckling

So perfumed with lavender, violets, bark and blackcurrants. Some mint and spearmint. It’s medium- to full-bodied with integrated tannins and a gorgeous finish. Lovely finesse and texture. This is extremely well done for a 2020. So drinkable now.

96 POINTS

James Suckling

So perfumed with lavender, violets, bark and blackcurrants. Some mint and spearmint. It s medium- to full-bodied with integrated tannins and a gorgeous finish. Lovely finesse and texture. This is extremely well done for a 2020. So drinkable now. Drink or hold. [13/03/2023]

95 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

Austere on the opening beats, still closed down at this point, allow it to take a few breaths before the tannic frame opens up. The concentration and spice of the vintage see the black Cabernet fruits shot through with grilled sandalwood, cocoa bean, tea, cigar box and cloves, emphasising the concentration and power of this magical site. The winemaking team with director Philippe Bascaules have teased nuance and freshness alongside, with pomegranate and oyster shell adding a rising curve of juice through the finish. As ever it is hard to resist. Francis Ford Coppola owner. All aged in French oak barrels, 75% new. [03/07/2023]

95 POINTS

Georgina Hindle - Decanter

Ripe and heady on the nose, full and generously aromatic. Supple and forward, lovely energy and poise to this initially despite it being quite powerful and potent. Tannins are on the slightly present and drying side right now, a little tight and there's something that constricts the mid palate onwards, with the texture dominating the more fruit forward elements and creating a bit of a barrier to enjoyment. Mineral, stoney, flint and pencil lead aspects linger. Ageing 20 months in French oak, 75% new. Winemaker Philippe Bascaules.

94 POINTS

Jonathan Cristaldi - Decanter

Alluring black cherry fruit intermixed with cassis and sandalwood. Full-bodied and juicy on the attack, showing its striking acid tension before unspooling layers of succulent black-toned fruits, crushed cocoa nibs, espresso bean, and a fine dusty tannin backbone with a long, savoury herb finish. Rubicon is Inglnook's blend of their best blocks of grapes, which in 2020 included Gio Vineyard, which was ripe and ready for harvest as early as 22 August, as well as Cohn, Lower Garden, Creek, and Apple block on Pritchard Hill, all concluded by 19 Septemeber, well before the Glass Fire and crafted by the dynamic duo of Philippe Bascaules, Director of Winemaking and Chris Phelps.

93 POINTS

Joe Czerwinski - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot. According to winemaking consultant Chris Phelps, nothing picked after September 27 (the day the Glass Fire ignited) went into the final blend. The wine is marked by the season's heat, though, with dark chocolate nuances overlaid on notes of charred cedar, cassis and black cherries. This full-bodied effort is concentrated and long, but it does exhibit a slightly coarse texture.

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is a heady wine. It offers up copious super-ripe dark red fruit and plenty of tannin. The Rubicon has a bit better balance than the Cabernet Sauvignon, and yet the challenges of the year are nevertheless evident. There's good up front presence, but that tapers off pretty quickly, exposing harsh tannins on the mid-palate and finish.