Rubicon Estate Rubicon 2004

Wine information: In 1975 Francis Ford Coppola purchased part of the historic Inglenook property and three years later made his first vintage of Rubicon, a proprietary blend of classic Bordeaux varietals. Twenty years later he was able to restore the Estate to its original dimension with the purchase of the grand Chateau and remaining vineyards. After restoring the Chateau, including returning winemaking to its original location on the second floor, purchasing the adjacent J.J. Cohn property and building a massive cave in the hillside behind the Chateau, Coppola changed the property’s name to Rubicon Estate, echoing the name of its flagship wine. The Rubicon is a blend 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot from the Garden, Gio, Creek, Cask, Lower Cask, Apple and Walnut vineyards. The cornerstone of Rubicon is the Garden Vineyard which is the oldest block of Cabernet on the Estate. It is planted to the original selection of Cabernet that founder Gustave Niebaum brought to the property in the early 1880s. This Cabernet has been selected and certified by the University of California at Davis as a heritage clone of historical significance. It was awarded a coveted clonal selection number by the University, the Niebaum Clone of Cabernet Sauvignon #29. This unique clone of Cabernet is essential for the creation of Rubicon. The 2004 Rubicon is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1%Merlot and is aged for 22 months in 100% new French 225 litre barrels. 2004 Rubicon reflects the warm growing conditions of the vintage, displaying a telltale scent of violets and sour cherry flavors, which are the hallmark of this wine. Its super-ripe character delivers a sweet impression, supple tannins, and a prolonged finish of licorice, dark berries, and vanilla. "In addition to whatever trademark combination of flavour and structure places it clearly as Rubicon, it also has that distinctive Rutherford dust character, like pollen dusting a black cherry. One of the true greats from Napa Valley." 96 point, Wine & Spirits.

 
     

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