Inglenook : Rubicon 2019

Ripe and focused, this takes an understated approach with a core of juicy dark plum and red currant preserves, lacing them liberally with dusty earth, singed alder and sweet tobacco. Delivers nice drive through the finish, which stays firmly grounded in its terroir. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2035. 7,300 cases made.

Seductive crushed cocoa nibs, dark coffee beans, blackberry and boysenberry. Fabulously full. Layered with a wealth of silken red- and black-toned fruit flavours, fully supported by long, sturdy, fine tannins that glide effortlessly over the palate. A cascade of salty mineral notes, earth, and dried florals flows through a bright beam of acidity. Long, succulent and complex.

Aromas of ripe berries, sweet vanilla, licorice, dark chocolate and bread crust. Notes of dried herbs and pinewood, too. So well grounded. Smooth, with a lingering, silky mouth-feel. Full body and ripe, chewy tannins. Toned and muscular with hints of crushed rocks. Firm, linear finish. Try after 2025.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon offers a captivating mix of textural intensity and vibrancy. Black cherry, spice, rose petal, menthol and licorice are all beautifully delineated. A wine of vertical lift and drive, the 2019 has the vibrancy to develop beautifully for years to come.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Dark, tobacco-like minerality, blackberry confit, blackcurrants, dark cherries, mocha, fine wood with a touch of cedar. Complex and juicy, nuances of liquorice, red cherries, silky, supporting tannins, a hint of pastis on the finish, long-lasting, will benefit from further bottle ageing.

The flagship 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is slightly deeper purple-hued and checks in as a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. It's a clear step up, offering a terrific nose of ripe cassis and spiced currant fruits as well as cedary herbs, tobacco, and earth. Nicely concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, it has plenty of up-front charm (as do most 2019s) yet will have two decades of longevity. It needs plenty of air to show at its best today, so don't be afraid to put this in a decanter. 7,363 cases.

With a grip of currant, dried herb, sage and cedar, this youthful wine is structured, elegant and tremendously ageworthy. Bright throughout in vibrant acidity, it is sophisticated in style, with an earthiness that endures, showcasing the incredible potential that continues to be realized from the organically farmed estate. Enjoy best from 2029–2034. This blends 81% Cabernet Sauvignon with 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.

A wonderfully balanced vintage, with a slow burn ripening period, and it's exceptionally good. Crayon, juicy black fruits, aromatics that play with the body of the wine, fragrant and floral floating above the chocolate and mocha-infused blackberry and cherry fruit. Love the drawn out character to the slate tannins, set against freshly cut herbs. 75% new oak. Director of winemaking Philippe Bascaules, winemaker Jonathan Tyer.