Inglenook, Rubicon - Napa Valley 2020

The Drink Business

94 / 100

byColin Haythe9/19/2023

Quite oaky on the nose. Rich and, again, lacking a bit of acidity. More taut and tense than the Cabernet Sauvignon and the tannins are softer and more refined. But the mid-palate remains something of an unresolved block. Black chocolate. Plum, plum skin and blackcurrant pips. The tannins grip well and give this much more shape in the mouth, despite the evident density and concentration. They achieve a certain layering and some complexity but there’s little sense of evolution and delineation over the palate for now. One senses this was a difficult vintage. Give this time and it will resolve but you’d rather have the 2019 I think.

Decanter.com

95 / 100

byGeorgina Hindlethe9/4/2023

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.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

97 / 100

byJane Ansonthe7/3/2023

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.

The Wine Independent

96 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe6/23/2023

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 challenging vintage!

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byJoe Czerwinskithe6/12/2023

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

Jamessuckling.com

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/13/2023

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.

Vinous

86 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe10/31/2022

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.