Rubicon Rutherford 2023 Napa Valley, Inglenook

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Product number: n32517

Rubicon Rutherford 2023
Napa Valley, Inglenook

Rating in the 100-point quality scale: 99
Quality information: REL 2026

ASL	American Strip Label (additional mandatory label for the US wine market)
BL	Bad Label (beschädigte/verschmutzte Etikette)
BS	Bottom Shoulder (high risk)
CC	Cut Capsule
CSL	Canadian Strip Label
FB	Foreign Bottling
GS	Glue Strip (visible strip of old adhesive, because labels used to be affixed only selectively or in strips, not over the entire surface.)
HF	High Fill (or mid neck: normal fill level)
HS	High Shoulder (natural loss in wines over twenty years old, perfect in those over forty years old)
IN	Into Neck oder Base Neck (good fill level, exceptional for wines aged ten years or older)
LG	Lange Goldkapsel
LMS	Low-Mid Shoulder (increased risk)
LS	Low Shoulder (high risk)
MS	Mid Shoulder
NC	No Capsule
NL	No Label
NNL	No Neck Label
OC	Oxidised Capsule
REC	Recondiotionné (recorked at the château + indication of the year)
REL	Release (year of release from château/winery)
SBL	Slightly Bad Label
SOL	Signs of Leaking
TS	Top Shoulder (standard for twenty-year-old wines)
VTS	Very Top Shoulder (normal for wines aged fifteen years and older)

CHF 115.00

Prices excl. 8,1% VAT plus shipping costs

Availability: 96 bts. available | content: 75 cl

Wine available as single bottles can be found here

Ratings & tasting notes

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is soft, delicate and very pretty. It, too, has come together nicely with time in barrel. The 2023 is a relatively soft Rubicon with good upfront fruit, but it does not have the dimension or power of the most complex years—that much is pretty evident. 11/2025

Jim Gordon

James Suckling

A big, concentrated yet sleek and composed red that shows the greatness of the Inglenook estate. Aromas of black fruit, blueberries, black cherries and cocoa, then deep and broad flavors of black cherries, black olives, black currants and creme de cassis. Velvety, mouth-filling tannins perfectly balanced the bold fruit flavors. Made from a lower than usual percentage of cabernet sauvignon at 78%, with 11% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but best from 2030. 01/2026

Joe Czerwinski

Wine Advocate

Slated to be bottled in May 2025, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. It's a darker-fruited vintage, with scents of mocha, black cherries, black olives and earthy notes on the nose, while the medium- to full-bodied palate is richly textured, showing great intensity and ample tannins on the lingering finish. 06/2025

Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The Wine Palate

The 2023 Rubicon is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little shaking to wake up scents of warm cassis, black cherries, and cardamom, followed by suggestions of camphor, mocha, and wild sage. The medium to full-bodied palate is vibrant and racy with black fruit and savory layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and minerally.

Jane Anson

Inside Bordeaux

Intense, concentrated, poised, bursting with controlled but fleshy cassis and bilberry fruits, firm tannic frame, a ton of ageing potential without losing the joyful ability of Napa Cabernet to be approached within a few years of bottling. Again showing that it's hard to go wrong with 2023 Napa. Todd Devincenzi director, Philippe Bascaules winemaking director. 95ha estate.

Description

Since 1978, Rubicon, Inglenook’s flagship wine, has represented the estate’s ambition to produce world-class wines from its finest vineyard blocks. The 2023 vintage provided excellent conditions. Abundant winter rainfall replenished moisture in the vineyard soils, while late budbreak helped protect the vines from frost. A cool spring slowed development through flowering, followed by a warm, steady summer that allowed the grapes to ripen gradually. This balanced season gave the fruit both concentration and freshness, while allowing the tannins to develop with precision.Harvest began on September 18 with Merlot and continued with Cabernet Sauvignon and the other Bordeaux varieties. Each vineyard block was hand-picked at peak ripeness. The final pick came on October 21, with Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walnut Blocks in the Pritchett Hill Vineyard.Rubicon 2023 opens with layers of blackcurrant, blackberry and ripe Damson plum. Subtle notes of vanilla and spice add depth, reflecting the well-integrated influence of oak. The palate is rich and concentrated yet retains energy and lift, supported by vibrant acidity and a distinct mineral character. A persistent, finely structured finish carries dark fruit and spice well into the aftertaste. The wine spent 20 months in French oak, including 74% new barrels, which lends further depth and complexity without overwhelming the fruit. A poised and powerful Napa Valley Rubicon with excellent ageing potential.

Country:	USA
Region:	Kalifornien
Producer/appellation:	Inglenook Estate
Wine type:	Red wines
Year:	2023
Content:	75 cl
Organic/bio dynamic:	No
Quality information:	REL 2026