2022 Inglenook Rubicon Estate Cuvée Rutherford

Medium intensity ruby red, one of the standouts of the lineup. Full dark berry and mint leaf Cabernet character, generous, juicy, with energy and forward motion. This delivers campfire, liquorice, cocoa bean and incense without missing a beat. A warm vintage, so the challenge was being ready to pick and to avoid dehydration, meaning a touch of irrigation at the end of August, and to compensate during winemaking by soft extractions, 75% new French oak for ageing. New winery, built into a knoll within the property, opened for this 2022 vintage, with over 100 stainless steel vats. Harvest September 1 through to the end of the month. Director of winemaking Philippe Bascaules, Todd Devincenzi winemaker.

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It's turned out to be a more red-fruited year, with notes of cherries and redcurrants accented by cedar, dusty earth and some tarry, reductive notes (decant for a couple of hours if opening one in the next couple of years). In the mouth, it's medium- to full-bodied and on the leaner side, with silky tannins and a bright, fresh, lingering finish.

This top wine from Inglenook offers complex, perfumed aromas, lots of dark fruit flavors and a structured but velvety texture. Spearmint, black cherries and balsam on the nose, then black cherries, dried blueberries and raspberries on the palate, Touches of savory herbs, iron and black olives complement the juicy, gorgeous fruit flavors. The tannins are full but very rounded and fine-grained. Contains 85% cabernet sauvignon plus smaller amounts of merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot. Drinkable now, but best from 2030.