The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon emerges from the back part of the property, which lies on the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Here the wines are dense, powerful and structured. That is exactly what comes through in the 2013. Layers of dark fruit built into a crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures laced with mocha, espresso, gravel and dark spice overtones. The new oak that was so prominent at the outset has begun to integrate and in so doing is allowing the fruit to come through to a greater degree than in the past. This is a tremendous showing for the 2013 Rubicon.

This vintage of the famous proprietary wine is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, a testament to how much the winemakers loved the variety on its own in this year. Root beer, cola and red plum notes make up its core of flavor, the texture velvety-soft. With its firm structure and clove accents, it will benefit from further time in bottle. Enjoy 2023-2033.

Very tightly wound but also well-done, in an austere style, putting an emphasis on structure and density at the expense of more opulent, supple-textured flavors, leaving the tannins in control and highlighting more crushed rock and gravel elements than truer, more expressive Cabernet flavors. Time will tell how successful this style is. Best from 2020 through 2030. 5,000 cases made.

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon, which is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, has a deep ruby/purple color, is somewhat compact and closed. The wine reveals good fruit and seems tightly knit, but not terribly expressive. Coincidence or not, in tasting over 3,000 of the top wines in 2013 this wine is at one of the lowest alcohol levels of the of any of the wines - at 13.8%. Drink now-2025.