1992 Rubicon

In comparison to the 1991, the 1992 Rubicon (2,956 cases) possesses a dark, opaque ruby/purple color, followed by a cleaner, riper, sweeter nose of black fruits, licorice, oak, and earth. Concentrated, spicy, and medium to full-bodied, this is a complete, more harmonious style of Rubicon that can be drunk now or cellared for 20 years. There have been numerous changes and refinements to the style of Niebaum-Coppola's proprietary red wine, Rubicon. Over a decade ago I wrote that this was a wine that acted as if it wanted to be an old-fashioned Barolo, with its rustic tannin and abrasive flavor profile. That has all changed in the nineties, as the wine has begun to take on a more supple texture, with less aggressive tannin, and a flavorful but more complete and elegant personality. The blend has gradually increased to over 90% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged in small French oak casks for two years, of which approximately 50% is new. There is no fining, but the wine is sterile filtered at bottling. Looking at vintages 1991 through 1994, each subsequent vintage seems to possess more intensity and character, with increasingly softer tannin. Tel. (707) 963-9099; Fax (707) 963-9084