Cardinale

Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

9.4579 ratings
9.3139 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck
Top Notes For
Daron Watson

Brambly dark berries, mocha, soft licorice, leather, pencil shavings…& hoisin?

Popping cassis, currant & Razzles lean to plum & dark chocolate finish

Approachable yet finessed and linear now – surely will broaden over time

#WINEPIMP

Brambly dark berries, mocha, soft licorice, leather, pencil shavings…& hoisin?

Popping cassis, currant & Razzles lean to plum & dark chocolate finish

Approachable yet finessed and linear now – surely will broaden over time

#WINEPIMP

Mar 17th, 2021
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

The nose reveals; dark, sweet, tarry, currants, ripe, ruby, candied, blackberries, dark cherries, ripe black plum with soft skin, purple fruit blend, blueberries, creamy dark raspberries, mixed berry cola, anise to black licorice, notes of ripe port, sandstone/limestone, dark spices, steeped teas, dry & fresh herbaceousness, crushed, dry rocks, black tar, dark chocolate, caramel, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, soft leather, saddle-wood, leather, dry & fresh tobacco, bay leaf with fresh & withering, very dark florals.

The body is; full, round, velvety and drop dead, gorgeously sexy. Their 97 shows the excellence of the vintage. The structure, tension, length and balance are in peak form. However, this wine has another 10 years ahead. The soft, round, silky tannins melt in your mouth. Dark, sweet, tarry, currants, ripe, ruby, candied, blackberries, dark cherries, ripe black plum with soft skin, purple fruit blend, blueberries, creamy dark raspberries, mixed berry cola, anise to black licorice, sandstone/limestone, dark spices, steeped teas, dry & fresh herbaceousness, crushed, dry rocks, rich, black, turned earth, black tar, dark chocolate, coco powder, caramel, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, soft leather, saddle-wood, leather, big graphite, some, subtle, grilled meats, dry & fresh tobacco, touch of black pepper, bay leaf with fresh & withering, very dark florals. The acidity is round and beautifully phat. The long, ruby, ripe, rich, well knitted texture & balance are outstanding and persists endlessly. Beautiful vintage and wine tonight!

Photos of; Cardinale tasting room, our Lokoya & Cardinale hybrid tasting as the road to Lokoya was not open after the big rains a couple of winters back and their terrace view from the tasting room.

The nose reveals; dark, sweet, tarry, currants, ripe, ruby, candied, blackberries, dark cherries, ripe black plum with soft skin, purple fruit blend, blueberries, creamy dark raspberries, mixed berry cola, anise to black licorice, notes of ripe port, sandstone/limestone, dark spices, steeped teas, dry & fresh herbaceousness, crushed, dry rocks, black tar, dark chocolate, caramel, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, soft leather, saddle-wood, leather, dry & fresh tobacco, bay leaf with fresh & withering, very dark florals.

The body is; full, round, velvety and drop dead, gorgeously sexy. Their 97 shows the excellence of the vintage. The structure, tension, length and balance are in peak form. However, this wine has another 10 years ahead. The soft, round, silky tannins melt in your mouth. Dark, sweet, tarry, currants, ripe, ruby, candied, blackberries, dark cherries, ripe black plum with soft skin, purple fruit blend, blueberries, creamy dark raspberries, mixed berry cola, anise to black licorice, sandstone/limestone, dark spices, steeped teas, dry & fresh herbaceousness, crushed, dry rocks, rich, black, turned earth, black tar, dark chocolate, coco powder, caramel, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, soft leather, saddle-wood, leather, big graphite, some, subtle, grilled meats, dry & fresh tobacco, touch of black pepper, bay leaf with fresh & withering, very dark florals. The acidity is round and beautifully phat. The long, ruby, ripe, rich, well knitted texture & balance are outstanding and persists endlessly. Beautiful vintage and wine tonight!

Photos of; Cardinale tasting room, our Lokoya & Cardinale hybrid tasting as the road to Lokoya was not open after the big rains a couple of winters back and their terrace view from the tasting room.

Oct 13th, 2019
Cody Short

One of my favorite vintages of Cardinale

One of my favorite vintages of Cardinale

Nov 30th, 2018
Roy Goble

Impressive.

Impressive.

Jul 26th, 2018
Mike R
9.4

What a wine and what a night - even won money at the casino - the cork wasn’t cooperating and gave us problems but once open this was creating lots of smiles

Good friends and wine and a memorable place spells fantastic night - Houston Texans are arriving for Practice camp Sunday

What a wine and what a night - even won money at the casino - the cork wasn’t cooperating and gave us problems but once open this was creating lots of smiles

Good friends and wine and a memorable place spells fantastic night - Houston Texans are arriving for Practice camp Sunday

Jul 21st, 2018
Mike R
9.6

Man was this so approachable and was big bold and beautiful

Man was this so approachable and was big bold and beautiful

May 1st, 2018
Mike Saviage

Tasted blind. Dark ruby. Big and thick. Sweet fruit in the nose, notes of cranberry, blueberry, and some wood. Very rich. Some heat. Good finish to the evening.

Tasted blind. Dark ruby. Big and thick. Sweet fruit in the nose, notes of cranberry, blueberry, and some wood. Very rich. Some heat. Good finish to the evening.

Apr 22nd, 2018
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This a beautiful wine. The texture glides over the palate and its smooth as silk. It just needs time to bring out its complexity.

This a beautiful wine. The texture glides over the palate and its smooth as silk. It just needs time to bring out its complexity.

Feb 5th, 2018
Aaron Means

Third Cardinale this week, I guess I'm doing something right. Dense blackberry jam, graphite, almost crunchy texture with tight tannic structure.

Third Cardinale this week, I guess I'm doing something right. Dense blackberry jam, graphite, almost crunchy texture with tight tannic structure.

Nov 5th, 2017
Aaron Means

Better than the 06. Very silky and remains youthful and deep. Not complex at all, but delicious. I still don't get the hype with these wines.

Better than the 06. Very silky and remains youthful and deep. Not complex at all, but delicious. I still don't get the hype with these wines.

Nov 5th, 2017