Rubicon, Rutherford, Napa Valley,

Intense, powerful and concentrated, full of dark brambled fruits, with cocoa bean, smoked almonds, espresso, a series of tiny pulses of crushed rock minerality. Captures the power of Rutherford without sacrificing finesse or pleasure, just a gorgeous wine that is so easy to fall in love with. The muscular tannins need a few year before fully opening, and could be held back in bottle for a decade or more, or ensure a good long carafe. Todd Devincenzi director, Philippe Bascaules winemaker.

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is another dense, packed wine. Super-ripe red cherry, red plum, spice, pomegranate and blood orange all meld together in this sumptuous decidedly flamboyant Cabernet. Pretty floral accents add aromatic brilliance and lift, yet this remains a pretty huge, potent wine.