Yes Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon wine, who’s name you’ve seen undoubtedly in the liquor store, was once a great wine. During a time that stretched from 1939 until 1964 John Daniel Jr. ran Inglenook and made some phenomenal legendary cask Cabernet Sauvignons. In fact a bottle of the 1941 vintage sold for almost $25,000 dollars. Daniel refused to sacrifice quality for anything, even profits. Unfortunately he had no choice but to sell the brand in 1964 to a large company that allowed the name to diminish.
Later on the in the 1980s there was an effort to revitalize the quality previously captured in this Cabernet wine but it was in vein. The perception of the label’s quality was damaged too greatly.
Francis Ford Coppola owns the estate where the great Inglenook was made. He has paid homage to Inglenook (and John Daniel) when in 1995 he reunited the entire original estate and produced Rubicon Cask Cabernet Sauvignon. Rubicon Estate is located in Rutherford, California.
