2005 Inglenook Rubicon Estate Inglenook Rubicon
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Tasting notes
(14.8% alcohol): Medium ruby. Inky aromas of blueberry, blackberry, cassis, bitter chocolate and licorice suggest a rather unyielding wine. Then surprisingly pliant, even creamy, in the mouth, but with a youthfully medicinal quality to the dark berry flavors. Finishes with smooth tannins, a note of dark chocolate and very good lift and length. More generous than the 2004 was a year ago.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Francis Ford Coppola, the famous director, purchased Inglenook Wine Estate. The 2005 Proprietary Red Rubicon is a stunner from the famous estate vineyards first planted by Gustave Niebaum more than 100 years ago. Dense ruby/purple, the wine reveals classic, almost Graves-like scorched earth and volcanic notes mixed with blackberry, cassis and iron. Full-bodied, fresh and lively, with luscious, rich fruit, a good, heady glycerin level (14.8% alcohol) and well-integrated acidity, wood and tannin, this beauty is set for another two decades of evolution. Tel. (707) 968-1100
VNHB. Real edge and energy to the nose of this mature wine. Luscious without being over the top. Clearly from a very fine vineyard. Chock full of character. (JR)
Francis Ford Coppola's flagship – in ridiculously heavy bottle (to be amended from 2009, I'm told). Served alongside Continuum 2005 it seemed to have more subtlety and certainly lasted immensely well in the decanter. Some gentleness and fine, well integrated acidity plus some of that famous dust or minerality of these higher vineyards of Rutherford. Pretty well done! (JR)