Product Description
Those driven to succeed seldom find satisfaction in mere prosperity, for the struggle to accomplish the remarkable is infinite in scope and measure. During the years when American industry was still in its infancy, a tenacious young sea captain named Gustave Niebaum amassed a small fortune in the Alaskan fur trade. Having achieved financial independence at an early age, Niebaum could have simply retired and still commanded respect from his peers. Instead, a longing for missed European traditions compelled him to launch a winemaking business. Well-read and enthusiastic, Niebaum pursued this goal not as that of a hobbyist, but with a zeal that verged on obsession. In 1880, he founded Inglenook with the intention of creating California wines that would be sought by connoisseurs and command prices equal to those of the famous French, German, and Spanish wines. Niebaum spared no expense. Relentless, fanatical, and intent on perfection, he procured the very best vineyards, planted noble varietals, and designed a winery that was an engineering marvel in its day. Within ten years of founding Inglenook, Niebaum’s wines were lauded by the press, both at home and internationally. In the wake of Prohibition, Niebaum’s wife’s grand-nephew John Daniel, Jr. assumed leadership of the winery. Intent on carrying on the family’s tradition of producing world-class wines, Daniel created wines which critics have since judged to be among the greatest every created anywhere in the world. Like Niebaum, John Daniel led without compromise. “Pride, not profits,” was his motto and wines were not even bottled unless they met his strict standards of quality. It was a daring way to conduct business. Perhaps too daring. Daniel didn’t live long enough to usher in the unlikely maverick whose passion it was to continue the legacy of this great Estate. In 1975, Francis Coppola came upon the historic Inglenook property in his quest for a quaint summer home where he could make a little wine in the basement like his grandparents once did. Though farm more immense than what he and his family were initially looking for, Coppola was impressed by the Estate’s natural beauty and mesmerized by the story of Gustave Niebaum. Feeling somehow connected to the man who shared a similar immigrant story, a love of wine, and also had a successful career outside the agricultural realm, Coppola vowed to reconstruct the great Estate by creating Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery. Situated in Rutherford, one of the premier Cabernet Sauvignon growing regions in California, the Estate strives to preserve the traditions of its predecessor by crafting world-class wines. It took more than twenty years to reunite all of the original vineyards and restore winemaking to the Chateau. Now that this is complete, we have progressed into a new era of innovation, choosing to rename the property – Rubicon Estate – after our critically-acclaimed flagship wine. When Gustave Niebaum began his enterprise, there were approximately forty-five wineries in California.
Endowed with a velvety texture and soft tannins, the Pennino Zinfandel opens with a certain level of restraint that quickly builds into an intense and persistent display of flavor and fragrance. From dramatic spice aromas that include cloves, nutmeg, and cocoa mixed with blueberries and raspberries, the palate comes to life with refreshing flavors of red cherries, cinnamon, and vanilla. There is a decidedly earthy quality about this vintage with distinct mineral notes and nuances of menthol. Smooth and supple, this wine is extremely well balanced and enjoys great length.