Inglenook covers approximately 1,700 contiguous acres with nearly 235 acres dedicated to vineyards. The variations in the Estate's topography reflect the great diversity of Napa Valley itself–-from the loamy, well-drained soils at its rear to an expanse of vineyards with deeper, but finer soils located in front of the Chateau–-and contribute to the singularity of Inglenook's terroir, a complex term incorporating the natural growing conditions of the specific site as well as the winemaker's signature––with some ineffable quality arising from the two–-which distinguish the wine's personality as unique.
Francis Ford Coppola is best known as the six-time Academy Award-winning director of such epic films as The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now. As a writer, director, and producer, he has been a central figure in contributing to the shape of contemporary American cinema. His creative pursuits run wide, however, and he is one of those rare individuals who can turn his dreams into viable realities, perhaps because of his clarity in seeing life as being full of all the possible ways to tell stories wanting to be told.
The whole of the 1970s was an extraordinary time in his career—writing, directing, and/or producing The Godfather (1972), American Graffiti (1973), The Godfather Part II (1974), The Conversation (1974), and Apocalypse Now (1979), a bevy of films earning him 12 Academy Award nominations, five Academy Awards, and two Palme d'Or awards from the Cannes Film Festival. It was during this same period that Francis embarked on an entirely different venture, to tell an entirely different story that would further develop the course of one of America's most venerable wine estates—Inglenook.
Ever since 1975, when he purchased the major portion of what was then under corporate ownership, Francis vowed to reunite Inglenook's land, the land to its name, and Inglenook's name to its former integrity. He established his own estate winery of Niebaum-Coppola that same year, and produced the first vintage of his flagship red wine, Rubicon, in 1978. More wines were to follow under the Niebaum-Coppola Estate label, with Francis steadily working towards his ultimate goal of "restoring Inglenook to its rightful place in history." In 1995 he bought the remaining part of the original Inglenook property, renovating its Chateau—which had stopped making wine—in both aesthetic appearance and function as a winemaking facility. And then in 2011, after nearly 40-years worth of committed resources and resolve, he acquired Inglenook's name and trademark, making it whole once again—in presence and spirit—with a winemaking approach that now honors its present and future welfare.
An inveterate traveler, Francis always looks to new experiences as sources of insight and, as a way of sharing his delight in exploring foreign sensations—sights, sounds, tastes—has opened several luxury hideaways in Central America, Argentina, and the exceptional Palazzo Margherita in southern Italy. He launched Zoetrope: All-Story, a quarterly magazine of short fiction and one-act plays, in 1997, and is the best-selling author of The Godfather Notebook (2016). Fascinated with the potential of combining theater, film, and television into one art form, he most recently authored Live Cinema and Its Techniques (2017), a book filled with descriptions and discussions of the methods involved in instantaneously broadcasting performance-based productions that retain the spontaneity of a live event. He is presently working on a cycle of screenplays that he intends to produce in this experimental medium.
Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is made from 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot, 0.5% Petit Verdot.
A wine of considerable charm, energy and finesse, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is opaque ruby red in color, and opens with aromas of ripe cassis, blackberry, espresso and cedar. Although powerful below the surface, the wine is extremely focused and well-balanced, with silky tannins, ample freshness, and vibrant structure, that lead to a crescendo in the lengthy, polished finish.
Review:
Full-bodied with lots of layered fruit and round, creamy tannins. The palate shows lovely ripe-berry character with chocolate and hazelnut and a long, flavorful finish. Hints of black truffles. Plenty going on here with a firm framework that gives the wine form and interest. Try it after 2022.
-James Suckling 95 Points
Inglenook Rubicon is made from 93% Cabernet Sauvignon 7% Cabernet Franc.
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.
2016:
After four years of drought, a winter with average rainfall was welcome, as it provided ample soil moisture for a strong start to the 2016 growing season. Average late-spring temperatures and limited precipitation minimized the risk of frost during mid-May bloom, ensuring average yields. June closed with a heat spell, slowing vine canopy growth at the ideal time. Harvest of the blocks contributing to the 2016 Inglenook Rubicon blend occurred under optimum conditions from September 6th through September 27th.
Ideal harvest conditions endowed the 2016 Rubicon with the three elements associated with a truly great wine from the Rutherford appellation: complexity, balance, and elegance. The aromas are intense and focused with top notes of creamy, sweet vanilla, and black licorice wound around a core of exquisitely ripe black cherry and crème de cassis. This refinement extends directly to the palate, where the wine is both broad and deep with sensuous, silky tannins. Supremely balanced in terms of both opulence and complexity, ripe black fruits and an ultra-smooth texture provide an impressive crescendo to a very long finish.
Review:
The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is a wine of total precision and class. Translucent and energetic, with distinctly mid-weight structure, the 2016 is a wine of reserve, tension and breeding. Shy at first, the 2016 has a lot to offer, but it needs a number of years in bottle to be at its most expressive. Cedar, tobacco, licorice and wild cherry add the closing nuances.
- Antonio Galloni 97 Points
Inglenook Rubicon is made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
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.
Strikingly rich in color and extract, the 2018 Rubicon is unquestionably a precocious, hedonistic wine. The exotic, well-knit aromas and flavors include ripe cassis, allspice, star anise, vanilla and black licorice. Upon entry, this full-bodied wine envelops the palate with its luxurious concentration and supple, silky tannins, supported by vibrant freshness from the balanced acidity, and perfectly-integrated French oak. Very long and expansive in the finish, the 2018 Rubicon will be memorable for decades to come.
Review:
Subtle and complex red with blackberry, black truffle, sweet tobacco and mahogany. Highlights of lavender and violets. Full-bodied and very tight with finesse and tension. Very polished, fine tannins. Long finish. Delicious already, but best after 2022.
-James Suckling 97 Points
“1752” is the name of the Damilano Barolo Cannubi Riserva, in honor of the year in which the historic bottle was first marked “Cannubi”. It still exists today perfectly conserved by the Manzone family in Bra, close to Barolo. The bottle is clearly marked as being of “1752” vintage, indicating that Cannubi historically precedes Barolo.
About the Vineyard:
The Cannubi Cru is in found within one of the 6 core zones which comprise a UNESCO heritage site in Italy. A mixture of Tortonian and Helvetian calcareous marl gives the grapes intense aromas of cherry, plum and tobacco, rose and violet in sequence. Its low potassium and high calcium/magnesium content offer the wine a fine and polished touch. The vineyard is located at about 270 m. a.s.l. and has a south-east sun exposure. Barolo Riserva Cannubi 1752 It is a small plot of about 2 hectares of Nebbiolo vines, currently between 30 and 50 years of age.
Tasting Notes:
Garnet ruby red in color, the bouquet is intense and balanced, with notes of violet, red fruit, cherry and plum, spices, liquorice, cocoa, leather and tobacco. Dry, robust, full-bodied, very persistent, rich and velvety
Food Pairing:
This wine is excellent with typical piedmontes pasta (tajarin, ravioli); perfect with red meat, braised and roast meat, game and absolutely ideal with all types of cheeses.
Review:
Charles Smith Sixto Uncovered Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Not from here, this wine is otherworldly. Apricot, stone, pippin apple, sea breeze, and wildflowers mingle to create this compelling beauty. Sit down and take your time with this wine, to savor the incredible structure, with a long and lingering presence of toasted almonds, apple blossom, and flint. A wonderful journey!.
Review:
What a pretty nose. Lemon peel, fresh white flowers, lavender, crushed sage and wet stone. Medium-to full-bodied with carrying acidity. Extremely articulate and graceful on the palate with bright citrus and a dried-floral note. Impressive depth and length. Salty and tangy on the finish with vibrancy. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 96 Points