{"product_id":"2018-inglenook-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-rutherford","title":"2018 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Rutherford","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2018 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Rutherford is a benchmark expression of one of Napa’s most storied estates. Crafted from estate fruit in the heart of Rutherford, this wine marries classic Napa power with a distinctly old-world sense of balance and refinement. The 2018 vintage, widely regarded as exceptional in Napa Valley, gives this Cabernet remarkable purity, structure, and aging potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the wine shows a deep, saturated ruby to garnet hue with youthful intensity at the core and a faint, elegant rim. The nose is refined yet generous, with layered aromas of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, and black cherry, interwoven with notes of graphite, cedar, tobacco leaf, baking spices, and a hint of violet and dried herbs that speak clearly of Rutherford.\n\nOn the palate, this Cabernet is full-bodied and structured, but never heavy. Ripe dark fruit—cassis, plum, and blackberry—are supported by finely knit tannins and a vibrant, refreshing acidity. Subtle tones of cocoa, espresso, pencil shavings, and savory earth unfold with air, leading to a long, persistent finish marked by a gentle Rutherford “dust” texture. Still youthful, the 2018 has the concentration and balance to evolve beautifully for 10–15+ years, gaining further complexity and harmony with proper cellaring.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSourced from Inglenook’s historic estate vineyards in Rutherford, this Cabernet benefits from the AVA’s hallmark gravelly, well-drained alluvial soils and the moderating influence of cool morning fog and warm afternoons. The fruit is carefully hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, with rigorous sorting to ensure only pristine berries make it to the winery. Fermentation typically takes place in temperature-controlled vessels, allowing for gentle extraction of color, aroma, and tannin, followed by extended maceration to refine texture. The wine is then aged in high-quality French oak barrels, a portion of them new, to add complexity and structure while preserving the purity and elegance of the fruit and the character of the Rutherford terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with richly flavored dishes such as grilled ribeye steak, herb-crusted lamb chops, braised short ribs, or a classic beef tenderloin with a red wine reduction. It also complements aged hard cheeses like Comté, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or an artisanal Cheddar. For best enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (60–65°F). Younger bottles benefit from 60–90 minutes in a decanter to soften the tannins and allow the aromatics to fully unfurl; more mature bottles can be gently opened and served with a shorter aeration time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInglenook is one of Napa Valley’s most historically important estates, with roots dating back to 1879 when Finnish sea captain Gustave Niebaum first established the property in Rutherford. Over the decades, Inglenook earned a reputation for producing some of California’s finest wines, helping to shape Napa’s global identity as a premier wine region. In the late 20th century, filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola acquired and painstakingly reunited the original estate, restoring the Inglenook name and its focus on estate-grown, terroir-driven wines. Today, Inglenook is recognized as a flagship producer in Rutherford, known for its meticulous vineyard practices, classical winemaking approach, and consistently acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignons that honor the estate’s legacy while standing confidently among Napa’s modern greats.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"inglenook","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251871306065,"sku":"GCW-MMUI-180912-4","price":102.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2018_Inglenook_Cabernet_Sauvignon_Napa_Valley_Rutherford_3.png?v=1783442000","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2018-inglenook-cabernet-sauvignon-napa-valley-rutherford","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}