Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Inglenook — Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Crafted from 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot, and 0.5% Petit Verdot, this estate-grown Cabernet showcases the remarkable 2018 Napa Valley vintage. Although positioned below the iconic Rubicon, it delivers the pedigree, precision, and elegance that have defined Inglenook for generations.

Aromas & Flavors
Layers of cassis, blackberry, black cherry, espresso, cedar, and graphite unfold alongside subtle bay leaf, dried herbs, and baking spices. The fruit is generous without excess, allowing Rutherford’s signature savory character to shine.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with polished tannins, vibrant acidity, and exceptional balance. Deep and structured yet remarkably approachable, the wine carries impressive concentration while maintaining finesse through a long, refined finish.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, dry-aged steak, lamb chops, braised short ribs, wild mushroom dishes, or aged Cheddar and Gouda.

Verdict
An outstanding expression of Rutherford Cabernet that consistently overdelivers. Powerful without being overwhelming, refined without sacrificing depth, it captures the classic Napa profile with remarkable harmony and age-worthy structure.

Did You Know?
Founded in 1879 by Gustave Niebaum, Inglenook is one of Napa Valley’s most historic estates. Under the stewardship of Francis Ford Coppola and renowned winemaker Philippe Bascaules (formerly of Château Margaux), the estate has been meticulously restored to its original vision of producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.

🍷 Personal Pick
The 2018 and 2019 vintages remain among my favorite recent years from Napa. This bottle is proof that you don’t need to step up to Rubicon to experience the soul of Inglenook. It delivers everything I look for in a classic Napa Cabernet—depth, structure, refined herbaceous character, and effortless balance. A cerebral wine that reminds me why Rutherford continues to be one of the world’s great homes for Cabernet Sauvignon. — 19 days ago

Tom Garland

9.3

+1 hour decant(lots of chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: subtle notes of dark fruit, sandalwood, potting soil, milk chocolate, floral. Taste: velvety, layered, concentrated mouthcoating wine with blackberry/blueberry, loamy soil, graphite, smoke, pepper, and a minerally dark chocolate dry long finish. YUM! better than 5 years ago...it's Come Together as the Beatles would say. — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

I have said before, they farm some of the best Napa Bordeaux blended fruits. There are likely different opinions on what happens in the winemakers process after harvest. But on pure fruit, yeah they do. This 23 is no exception.

The fruits are ripe, lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberry w/ awesome purple & blue fruits. It is round, elegant, very balanced. Softly layered baking spices with candied red, dark flowers with violets, rainfall acidity with a finish that lasts two-minutes and lands on moist clay & fruit.

Tasted at Roy Estates. The view from Roy Estate is one of the very best, if not the best view of Napa rolling vineyards. — 3 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1.5 hour decant(some chunky sediment). A remarkable inky purplish garnet color with some bricking. On the nose: exquisite notes of ripe dark berries, cassis, smoked meat, floral, black olives, mint. Taste: velvety, elegant, structured mouthcoating wine with blackberry, cassis, earth, licorice, crushed stone, and a spiced-mineral-dark chocolate espresso long finish. YUM!! — 5 months ago

with Brenda

Pooneet K

9.3

It’s always easy to be biased for a wine you had some small part in contributing to (I worked at the vineyard right before this harvest) but this is authentically excellent. Has aged extremely well. With a 1.5 hour decant and a slight chill, the classic dusty Rutherford fruit with very nice acid on the finish comes through in spades. Very long finish and quite in balance. Perfect pairing with some beautiful dry aged strip steaks to round out Thanksgiving weekend. — 8 months ago

Erica Gamble

9.4

Still fantastic. Knocked it out of the park. — 10 months ago

with Ryan

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Dry-Farmed, a bit of Cabernet Franc in mix, aged 20 months in mostly neutral French oak barrels. Dark Ruby red color with aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs and floral spice. On the palate flavors of ripe black cherry, raspberry and cassis with espresso, cinnamon and earthy spice notes. Nice balance, lively acidity, fine tannins, long ending with fruit, cacao and tobacco spice! Nice! — a day ago

Michael Patrone

9.7

Dinner with Anu/David. Wonderfully integrated. Still has tons of fruit, ready for another decade or two. — a month ago

with Meghana

Jay Kline

9.2

Opened with the assistance of a Durand and decanted about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1981 Rubicon pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a combination of dried, ripe and tart, red and black fruits: mixed brambles, red and black currants, black cherry, tobacco, Poblano pepper, old leather, dried flowers, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, minerals and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+ and sanguine. A rather remarkable ‘81 that seems almost evergreen when considering the color and condition of the fruit. In fact, it seemed to gain energy with air. Impressive. Drink now with a short decant and through 2041. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Pale straw lemon color with aromas of tropical fruit, lime citrus and grassy aromas. On the palate flavors of pear and grapefruit with herb notes, vivid acidity. Medium+ finish, ending with fruit, grassy noted and mineral tones. — 4 months ago

Paul K

9.4

Favorite ‘16 of the month so far and I think that’s saying something. This has it all as well as depth that is so enjoyable. — 7 months ago

Walter Fahr

9.3

Excellent Pine Ridge Cabernet from Rutherford region. Fruit forward of course, deep ruby in color with great texture. Smooth, Great with a variety of red meat and pastas. Drank January 2026 — 7 months ago

Mark Osmers

9.2

The Rutherford Hill Napa Merlot (2021) reveals a deep ruby core with subtle garnet reflections, suggesting youthful vibrancy with potential for short-term development. The nose is precise and layered, offering blackberry and raspberry fruit interwoven with cedar nuances, indicative of measured oak influence.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with light acidity that enlivens the fruit profile while maintaining balance.

Tannins are fine-grained and unobtrusive, supporting a bright structural framework that lends clarity and poise.

The finish is clean and persistent, marked by freshness rather than weight, making this a versatile companion to dishes such as roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or semi-hard cheeses. — 9 months ago

Christian Fischer

9.4

Smooth and well-balanced. Nice ending of the evening — 13 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.0

Brioche upfront with pear, then almonds and a touch of citrus, mineral, and peach. — 20 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

1973 vintage. Okay fill. Opened with a Durand. Cork 80% saturated. Musty, hot, slightly “raisined” nose. Light medium body. Drank more like a Burgundy at this stage of life. Amplifying savory aspects currently. Definitely instructive and an absolute blast to hit the FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) with. These formative, ancient Napa Cabs always so revealing, primal and archival. The 1973 cork a little longer than those short stuff 1968 and 1969 ones. 6.12.26. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of very fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe with some tart and drying fruits: cassis, blackberries, pipe tobacco, Serrano pepper, purple flowers, leather, and a pleasant mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the alcohol is medium+. FWIW, this is an impressive wine on the nose and the palate.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend there of) or Sangiovese-blend, or Tempranillo (or blend) from the United States, France, Italy or Spain. However, the shear generosity of fruit and lavish oak treatment leads me to Napa. Additionally, there’s a structure that gives me mountain fruit vibes. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, 2015. Perhaps I was trying to be a bit too clever but scoring lots of points nonetheless. Probably one of the more memorable, contemporary Freemark Abbey’s I’ve had. Really impressive. Drink now through 2050. — 3 months ago

Patrick Parham

8.9

North of my typical price point, this was quite expressive for a cab. Robust fruit flavor, yet smooth. Other bottles suit my palate better. — 6 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Deep ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of black fruit, iron and wet soil. Flavors of blackberry, black plum, dark chocolate and baking spices. Noticeable “Rutherford Dust” on the long, earthy and savory finish. Soft tannins. Alcohol and acidity are quite abundant and noticeable. Lower (more Medium) bodied then I expected. Well balanced and quite interesting. — 7 months ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.7

First vintage of M-Etain.
Aging fantastically, if you opened a decade ago it was too soon. — 9 months ago