The 2018 Inglenook Rubicon is a proprietary blend featuring 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. This wine hails from Napa, California, and offers a complex and well-structured profile, making it a noteworthy option for red wine enthusiasts.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this vintage 92 points. Joe Czerwinski noted its "scents of wood-grilled cherries, graham crackers, and mint" and described the wine as "tannic but ripe, with a certain austerity and reserve." He concluded that while it finishes long, it is "not particularly charming right now," suggesting potential for future development.
Vinous provided a higher score of 94 points. Antonio Galloni described the 2018 Rubicon as "a dark, sumptuous beauty," emphasizing its "silky contours and soft curves" with "inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice, spice, and dried herbs." Galloni found the wine rich and creamy but questioned if it was more complex than other Cabernet Sauvignons from the same year.
Jeb Dunnuck rated the wine at 95 points, calling it a "backward, closed wine" with "classy notes of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, freshly crushed stone, and cedar." He praised its balance, tannins, and acidity, advising to give it 4-5 years in the cellar for optimal enjoyment.
James Suckling gave the 2018 Rubicon an excellent score of 97 points. He highlighted its "blackberry, black truffle, sweet tobacco and mahogany" notes, along with "lavender and violets." Suckling described it as "full-bodied and very tight with finesse and tension," recommending it for immediate enjoyment or further aging.
Wine Spectator rated the wine at 93 points, noting its "restrained yet complex notes of mulberry, loganberry, and anise" and an "understated core" with hints of sassafras, black tea, and incense. The review highlighted its refined structure and mineral finish.
Wine Enthusiast also rated it 94 points. Virginie Boone remarked on its "refined and elegantly structured" profile with "currant, cedar, and espresso" notes. Boone pointed out its "thick and firm" tannins and suggested enjoying it from 2028–2038.
Decanter awarded the wine a high score of 97 points, praising its "rich plum, fig, and blackcurrant fruits," and describing the palate as "precise with a distinct texture," balanced with "power and generality."
The Wine Independent rated it 95 points, highlighting its "deep garnet-purple color" and "notes of fragrant earth, dusty soil, and powdered cinnamon" with a core of "blackcurrant pastilles and boysenberries." Lisa Perrotti-Brown emphasized its "rock-solid structure" and "lively acidity."
Overall, the 2018 Inglenook Rubicon is a highly acclaimed wine with excellent reviews praising its complex flavor profile, structure, and aging potential.