Tasting Notes
Vinous 93
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.
Anticipated maturity: 2027-2038
Jane Anson 98
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.
The Wine Independent 99
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.
James Suckling 99
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.
