Cardinale
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Napa Valley, California, USA
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.
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, 2018After letting it open up..hella delish
After letting it open up..hella delish
Nov 27th, 2013
Lovely, full bodied. Dark cherries.
Lovely, full bodied. Dark cherries.
Aug 19th, 2017I was quite happy with this wine today. Right up there as one of the better wines enjoyed. Lots of youth for a 97. Almost a bit medicinal, but fruit structure was good. There was really nothing that stood out about this wine, other than my saying the wine appeared to have more youth than "advertised." I would have guessed 2004-2005. Still didn't win the youth award (that one definitely went to the 99 Spottswoode). I would have been insanely happy with this wine as the only wine on the table, instead of 1 out of 16 (plus) that were all uncorked in a frenzy of fourth friday wines.
I was quite happy with this wine today. Right up there as one of the better wines enjoyed. Lots of youth for a 97. Almost a bit medicinal, but fruit structure was good. There was really nothing that stood out about this wine, other than my saying the wine appeared to have more youth than "advertised." I would have guessed 2004-2005. Still didn't win the youth award (that one definitely went to the 99 Spottswoode). I would have been insanely happy with this wine as the only wine on the table, instead of 1 out of 16 (plus) that were all uncorked in a frenzy of fourth friday wines.
Jul 29th, 2017
1990s napa cabs are drinking beautifully right now. Still young, long finish. Wow!
1990s napa cabs are drinking beautifully right now. Still young, long finish. Wow!
Jan 19th, 2016
Smelled like farts at first but hen opened up. Ended up being very smooth
Smelled like farts at first but hen opened up. Ended up being very smooth
Dec 26th, 2014