Cardinale

Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

9.44 ratings
9.42 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
Jay Kline

Popped and poured into red Solo cups. The 1995 pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some decent sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of mostly ripe and some desiccated black and red fruits: black, currants, blackberries, black cherry, plum, cocoa, tobacco, old leather bound books, dried purple flowers, a mix of organic and inorganic earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. I sometimes feel like Cardinale is an overlooked label in the Jackson Family lineup. It’s been around for decades and these wines always impressed me, especially with age. Drink now through 2035.

Popped and poured into red Solo cups. The 1995 pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some decent sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of mostly ripe and some desiccated black and red fruits: black, currants, blackberries, black cherry, plum, cocoa, tobacco, old leather bound books, dried purple flowers, a mix of organic and inorganic earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. I sometimes feel like Cardinale is an overlooked label in the Jackson Family lineup. It’s been around for decades and these wines always impressed me, especially with age. Drink now through 2035.

Sep 19th, 2025
Scott Soren

Fruit waning but still structured.

Fruit waning but still structured.

Apr 26th, 2018
Patrick Kelly

Even with a bit of cork seepage this wine is magnificent. I guess there really is something to aging a good bottle.

Even with a bit of cork seepage this wine is magnificent. I guess there really is something to aging a good bottle.

Oct 25th, 2014
Eddie Grystar

Still some good acidity and pepper alongside the prune fruit. Hanging on well. Good for what it is

Still some good acidity and pepper alongside the prune fruit. Hanging on well. Good for what it is

Dec 16th, 2022
David Goldfinger

Cali version of this

Cali version of this

Sep 27th, 2017
Adam Jesberger

Adam had this 9 years ago

Adam had this 9 years ago

Feb 19th, 2017