Inglenook, Reserve Cask 1991

Inglenook, owned by Francis Ford Coppola since 1975 and overseen by Philippe Bascaules, managing director of Chateau Margaux, is one of the great c19th properties of Napa. The wine has been improving over the last few years, to be very well-made if not exciting or groundbreaking. This bottle has hay and spiced plum on the nose. The palate has sweet licorice and slightly stewed fruit, a little bit gamey, the earthy notes musty rather than fresh. It’s not going to get any sweeter, indeed the length is slightly bitter.