2010 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Cask
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Tasting notes
Full, bright red-ruby. Reticent, slightly stunted aromas of plum, cherry, tar, mocha and menthol. Smooth and juicy on entry, then fine-grained but a bit narrow and herbal in the middle palate, with its green element overshadowing its dark fruit, spice and soil flavors. Finishes with somewhat drying, building tannins and a touch of sourness. Still has plenty of life but I wanted more ripeness and generosity for a 2010. Turned increasingly dry with air.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Dark plums, mocha, smoke, new leather and cloves take shape in the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask. There is plenty of intensity and power in the glass, but the formidable tannins are those of an equally pushed extraction. Tasted next to the 2012 , the 2010 almost tastes like a wine from a different estate.
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask is a big, bold wine loaded with mocha, espresso, dark cherries and plums. An initial blast of fruit is followed by firm tannins that clamp down on the mid-palate and finish. If the 2010 Cask softens it might merit a higher score, but my impression is it will always retain a certain element of compactness. Though generally a very good and certainly well made wine, I can't say the 2010 has a great deal of personality. The blend is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot.
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask is a big, bold wine loaded with mocha, espresso, dark cherries and plums. An initial blast of fruit is followed by firm tannins that clamp down on the mid-palate and finish. If the 2010 Cask softens it might merit a higher score, but my impression is it will always retain a certain element of compactness. Though generally a very good and certainly well made wine, I can’t say the 2010 has a great deal of personality. The blend is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. Proprietor Francis Ford Coppola continues to move forward with his project to restore Inglenook, one of Napa Valley’s historic estates, to its previous glory. Coppola has certainly been willing to put everything on the line, bringing in viticulturist Stephane Derenoncourt in 2008 and winemaker Philippe Bascaules, from Chateau Margaux, in 2011. Naturally, it is too early to see the results of these two very high-profile hires, but count me among those who are highly interested to see what develops here over the next few years. There are now essentially two Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. The Cask is made from vineyards on the front portion of the property bordering Highway 29, while Rubicon is made from vineyards located at the back of the estate. Inglenook will no longer bottle other single-variety wines. Tel. (800) RUBICON
About the producer
Inglenook is one of Napa’s oldest wine estates, founded in 1879, but is today owned by Francis Ford Coppola.