Rated 93 by the WINE SPECTATOR, and 92 by WINE & SPIRITS, the 2005 Rubicon reveals aromas of violets and sour cherry flavors--the hallmarks of Rubicon. The classically ripe character delivers a sweet impression, supple tannins, a rich, luscious mouth feel and a prolonged finish of mocha, dark berries and chocolate. The 2005 Rubicon can be enjoyed now, but it is a monumental wine that will repay with cellaring. Master Sommelier and general manager Larry Stone recommends decanting all Rubicon wines to unleash the full scope of their aromatics and depth of flavor. 

"Supple-textured, ripe, rich and fleshy, with spice, currant, black cherry and wild berry fruit that's well proportioned, drinking easily already. Firms up nicely on the finish, where the tannins have just the right touch of grip. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2009 through 2016." James Laube, Wine Spectator November 2008 

For 2005, we are unveiling the second new package in the wine's history. This elegant embossed bottle is a fitting vessel for the complex, gorgeous wine within. For the first time, this proprietary blend relies almost exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon, with Clone 29 Cabernet at the helm. A small amount of Petit Verdot adds a silky mouth feel and even more seamless texture to this beloved wine. 

About the Wine
In 1975, Francis Ford Coppola purchased the old Inglenook property, intent to restore the historic chateau, reunite the original vineyards, and create world-class red wines. The Estate's flagship wine is Rubicon-a proprietary blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, produced from the best selections of the Estate's 235 contiguous acres of certified-organic vineyards, including Clone #29 Cabernet Sauvignon. This unique Cabernet clone defines the heart of the Rubicon blend. Designated and certified by the University of California at Davis as a heritage clone, laboratory analysis has confirmed that this selection has the same genetic material as the vines Gustave Niebaum, Inglenook's founder, brought back from France in the 1880s. 

Vintage
The 2005 season in Rutherford was unlike the dry and early vintage before. After an early bud break, temperatures were lower than average for early spring and more frequent rainfall than usual continued until July, causing a larger than anticipated berry size and potential yield. Our vineyard team was very diligent in managing the yields and removing more clusters than usual early in the season. The rest of the summer remained cool; in fact the early part of September was downright chilly. The low yields we worked for in the early part of summer allowed our fruit to ripen well and benefit from the long hang time it enjoyed due to the cooler weather. The strength of the vintage for Rubicon has become more evident as the wine has matured in barrel and bottle. 

Winemaking Notes
Diligent control over the vineyard early in 2005 proved to be the decisive factor. Keeping our yields down allowed for a very long, even and gradual evolution of flavors and tannins in the fruit that is evident in the finished wine. The positive results of thinning clusters early in the season was immediately evident in the quality of wine right out of the open-top Taransaud fermenting tanks. The colors and fruit intensity were remarkable, and the tannins were incredibly soft and mouth filling. This was the first year in which our winemaking team could concentrate solely on making Estate-grown wines and it was an auspicious beginning.
Also, for the first time, small amounts of Petit Verdot were co-fermented with the best lots of classic Cabernet in the wood fermentors. The addition of the highly colored, high energy Petit Verdot added immediate mouthfeel and seamless texture to the Cabernets. Even 18 months after the introduction, blends made with Cabernet Franc and Merlot did not offer as much interest. For that reason, the 2005 Rubicon is the first Rubicon since inception (1978) that has been made without either Cabernet Franc or Merlot 

Tasting Notes
Our 2005 Rubicon reflects the extended growing conditions of the vintage, displaying a precocious depth of flavor as well as a long, intense finish. The classically ripe character delivers a sweet impression, supple tannins, a rich, luscious mouthfeel and a prolonged finish of mocha, dark berries and chocolate. Though this vintage seems ready to enjoy now, it is a monumental Rubicon that will also repay with cellaring. 

Appellation: Rutherford, CA
Blend: 98.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Petit Verdot
Vineyard: Garden, Gio, Creek, Cask, Lower Cask, Apple, Walnut
Barrel Regimen: New French oak, 22 months
Acid: pH: .53 g/100ml 3.8
Alcohol: 14.8%
Released: March 15, 2009