2015 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon 1882
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Tasting notes
88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Petit Verdot, 1% Merlot, 0.5% Malbec. Following a relatively warm winter, the 2015 growing season at Inglenook began early, staying 14 to 21 days ahead of average from budbreak to harvest. Variable weather during flowering in May and limited precipitation for the fourth consecutive year, led to relatively low yields. Merlot, the first bordeaux variety to reach maturity, was picked on 22 August, followed nine days later by the first lot of Cabernet Sauvignon. The dry, warm weather during September resulted in optimal conditions for fruit ripening. Harvest was completed by 24 September. Sweet liquorice and ripe blackcurrant on the nose. There is a little heat on the palate that sticks out through the fruit, which is ripe and rounded. The tannins are fine and well managed, allowing the cassis and morello cherry to take centre stage. Hedonistic, if a little hot. (TP)
Critic scores
Average Score
Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A dense, succulent wine, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon captures all the raw power and density of the year. The 2015 is just starting to soften, but ideally it needs another few years in bottle to be at its finest. Readers should expect an especially opulent style, and yet the 2015 has more than enough depth to drink well for another 15+ years or more.
A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon 1882 opens with ripe cherries, blackberry tart and warm cassis scents plus hints of dried Mediterranean herbs, chargrill and spice cake. Medium-bodied with a good amount of juicy, savory fruity, it has a light grip of chewy tannins on the finish. 4,063 cases produced.
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a pretty big wine in this vintage. Then again, that is 2015. Despite its considerable fruit density, the 2015 nevertheless has plenty of tannic heft beneath the fruit. Readers should expect a firm, brawny Rutherford Cabernet that is going to need time to be at its very best. Dark fruit and a virile overall feel give the wine much of its personality. Time in the glass brings out the wine's more floral components and redder tonalities of fruit. It will be interesting to see where the 2015 settles once it fully recovers from its June 2017 bottling.
About the producer
Inglenook is one of Napa’s oldest wine estates, founded in 1879, but is today owned by Francis Ford Coppola.