I have to admit that Rubicon Estate is really one of my favorite properties in all of Napa Valley. I visited one summer a few years back and had an amazing tour of the winery and a tour guide that made you want to cry with his beautiful stories of the fabulous history of what is the original Inglenook Estate founded by Gustave Niebaum in the late 1800's. I also admit that their flagship wine "Rubicon" is in my opinion the pinnacle of California Cabernet and a wine that never fails to amaze.

Although Rubicon Estate is so highly touted for their efforts with Cabernet, they also have found success with other varietals on the property as well. One such variety that they've been able to coax with much delight is Syrah. In 1996 they decided to plant Syrah clones #1 and #7 from the Barossa Field Station in the loamy soil of the Gate Vineyard. More recently they also planted 12 acres of clone #2, #4, and #6 in the Chateau Vineyard. Together these vineyard sourced make up what today they call the RC Reserve Syrah.

The 2008 RC Reserve Syrah is a deep and dark colored wine that boast aromas of black currant, graphite, blackberry, and scorched earth. The bouquet is very dark and seductive and the word that best describes the aroma profile if "Black".

On the palate the wine continues to express it's big black fruits and shows flavors of black currant, coal, tar,  cassis, black licorice, graphite, and earth. It's a massive wine that shows extensive depth and could use probably 5-8 years in the cellar before it hits it's stride. The alcohol is just a tad disjointed right now and the wine itself needs time to meld and age before it's ready to enjoy. 90 points

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