Wines Rutherford Inglenook - Rubicon - 2015

Viniou Reviews

Inglenook’s Rubicon 2015 is a flagship red wine from Rutherford, one of Napa Valley’s most esteemed sub-regions. This cuvée is typically Cabernet Sauvignon-driven, occasionally blended with smaller percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and sometimes Petit Verdot, resulting in a wine of remarkable depth and structure. The 2015 vintage was marked by a warm, dry growing season in Napa, yielding concentrated fruit and excellent maturity. The terroir of Rutherford is renowned for its alluvial fan soils—gravelly, well-drained, with notable volcanic influence—which impart a signature “Rutherford dust” character, lending an alluring savoury note to the finished wine. Inglenook, under organic stewardship, combines classic Bordeaux vinification methods—fermentation in oak vats, careful extraction, and long élevage in French oak—to craft a wine that marries richness with finesse.

Rutherford itself benefits from an ideal climate: warm days promote ripeness while cooling evening fogs from San Pablo Bay preserve acidity. The history of Inglenook is deeply intertwined with Napa Valley’s rise to vinous prominence; it is one of California’s most storied vineyards, founded in the late 19th century, and rejuvenated by Francis Ford Coppola in the 1970s. Today, its Rubicon is a benchmark for terroir-driven, age-worthy Napa Cabernet.

For food pairings, Rubicon’s powerful structure and complex bouquet are a match for robust dishes. Classic pairings include dry-aged ribeye, roast rack of lamb with herbs, or a slow-cooked short rib. The wine’s firm tannins and dark fruit make it ideal alongside dishes with earthy elements such as wild mushrooms. For a regional touch, California-inspired dishes such as grilled quail with black olives or tri-tip barbecue can also be delightful alongside.

To appreciate Rubicon 2015 at its best, decant for an hour to reveal layers of cassis, cedar and subtle spice. Serve between 16-18°C. The wine will continue to evolve in the glass and can age gracefully for at least another decade, rewarding patience with increasing complexity and integration.