Description
Visually striking, with its violet-edged, ruby red colour, the Rubicon 2019 spends 20 months in French oak barrels – 74% of which are new. Opening up gradually, the nose reveals blackberry, black cherry and cassis notes, followed by espresso and clove. The palate is silky with fine-textured tannins, a firm structure, and subtle hints of tobacco, liquorice and anise. Vibrant and elegant, this is quintessential Rubicon.
The Inglenook estate was bought in 1879 by Gustave Niebaum, a Swedish ship captain who dreamt of building an American winery to rival the great Chateaux of Europe. The first harvest took place in 1882, producing 80,000 gallons of wine, and the Chateau winery was completed 5 years later. In 1941, Inglenook produces one of “the best red wines ever made”, a wine which went on to sell for $27,000 at auction in 2004. But the prohibition era and the second world war hampered the financials and eventually, then owner, John Daniel Jr. sells off the chateau winery and 100 acres of vineyard to United Vintners. His wife sells the rest of the estate after he dies. And then in 1975, a new era begins – the Coppola era. Francis and Eleanor Coppola buy the mansion and acreage as a ‘vacation cottage’, but soon discover the potential and vow to reunite all the land that was part of the original Inglenook estate. By 1995, they had accomplished this reunion, and by 1997 had restored the old chateau winery. Francis Coppola received the Wine Enthusiast lifetime achievement award in 2019, a recognition of his dedication to winemaking in the US.
Food matches: Lovely alongside a barbecued steak, or with a juicy venison burger.
