2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

These new and upcoming releases from Inglenook continue a trend started in 2011 when proprietor Francis Ford Coppola made major strides in his quest to focus on quality. Chris Phelps is now making the wines, and while it is far too soon to know if there will be any stylistic changes, the 2017s are pretty impressive. I was also quite taken with the 2016s, which are every bit as compelling as they were last year.

I admit it is with some sadness that I write these reviews. I can't think of another winemaker who has had such a profound influence on a property in Napa Valley as Philippe Bascaules has had at Inglenook. Francis Ford Coppola made waves when he hired Bascaules away from Château Margaux to be his winemaker at Inglenook. I first met Bascaules in 2011, when he arrived at Inglenook during a harvest in which most winemakers were freaking out because of the extremely challenging weather. Bascaules, who at that point, was very new to Napa Valley, was completely calm, as were his French colleagues. In the years that followed, Bascaules elevated the Inglenook flagship wines to world-class level. But last year, Margaux's beloved Paul Pontallier passed away suddenly. So I suppose it is not a huge surprise that Bascaules has been called back to Margaux to run the estate. According to the official announcement, Bascaules will spend a few weeks a year at Inglenook. Personally, I don't see that as workable for more than a transition period. Estates like Margaux and Inglenook almost certainly require 100% commitment. It will be interesting to see who takes Bascaules' place at Inglenook. One thing is certain. That person will find the estate in far better shape than it was five years ago. As for the wines, they are terrific. The 2015s all show the richnss of the vintage in their deep, dense personalities. I find more finesse in the 2014s, at least today. The 2013s show why the vintage is one of the very best in recent times.