Cardinale

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.425 ratings
9.63 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Dessert Steak Wine that follows the St. Emilion nicely. Allen Brothers Ribeye just pulls apart with a fork.

Certainly one of the very best Napa vintages in my lifetime.

The first thing I would say is...the 97 has not achieved its peak. However, it is grand.

The nose reveals; cinnamon stick, dark currants, ripe, ruby, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plums, dark expresso grounds, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit tea, limestone to sandstone, incense, fire ambers, moist clay with amazing, yet understated, ruby, candied florals that are withering; dark, red, purple & blue framed in an equally divided field of violets & lavender.

The palate is; full, round, velvety, sexy, glorious and flat out elegant. The silky tannins are seriously round and tarry/meaty. The structure, tension, balance & length are in the realm of “walk off grand slam.” Dark currants, ripe, ruby, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum that is skin dominate, dark expresso grounds, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, dates, figs, dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit tea, limestone to sandstone, river stone, incense, fire ambers, notes of savory seasoned prime rib, moist clay with amazing, yet understated, ruby, candied florals that are withering; dark, red, purple & blue framed in an equally divided field of violets & lavender. The acidity is dead on. The finish is; juicy, lush, rich fruits that slide into mid spice and grippy balanced earth.

There is nothing about this wine that says tired.

Amazing follow up Allen’s Brothers steak wine.

Best Napa Cabernet I’ve had this year.

Dessert Steak Wine that follows the St. Emilion nicely. Allen Brothers Ribeye just pulls apart with a fork.

Certainly one of the very best Napa vintages in my lifetime.

The first thing I would say is...the 97 has not achieved its peak. However, it is grand.

The nose reveals; cinnamon stick, dark currants, ripe, ruby, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plums, dark expresso grounds, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit tea, limestone to sandstone, incense, fire ambers, moist clay with amazing, yet understated, ruby, candied florals that are withering; dark, red, purple & blue framed in an equally divided field of violets & lavender.

The palate is; full, round, velvety, sexy, glorious and flat out elegant. The silky tannins are seriously round and tarry/meaty. The structure, tension, balance & length are in the realm of “walk off grand slam.” Dark currants, ripe, ruby, blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum that is skin dominate, dark expresso grounds, dark spice, clove, nutmeg, dates, figs, dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit tea, limestone to sandstone, river stone, incense, fire ambers, notes of savory seasoned prime rib, moist clay with amazing, yet understated, ruby, candied florals that are withering; dark, red, purple & blue framed in an equally divided field of violets & lavender. The acidity is dead on. The finish is; juicy, lush, rich fruits that slide into mid spice and grippy balanced earth.

There is nothing about this wine that says tired.

Amazing follow up Allen’s Brothers steak wine.

Best Napa Cabernet I’ve had this year.

Dec 5th, 2020
John W

Extremely dark ruby coloration. No translucency.
On the nose, cherry, vanilla, dark berry , forest floor, espresso, currant, prune. On the palate, florals/violet, cherry, dark berry, vanilla, plum, oak, long finish of vanilla and cherry. Very smooth, velvety tannins are perfectly balanced. Full and round bodied.

Extremely dark ruby coloration. No translucency.
On the nose, cherry, vanilla, dark berry , forest floor, espresso, currant, prune. On the palate, florals/violet, cherry, dark berry, vanilla, plum, oak, long finish of vanilla and cherry. Very smooth, velvety tannins are perfectly balanced. Full and round bodied.

Dec 24th, 2023
Jenn Blachford

Lighter than expected but immediately drinkable and smooth

Lighter than expected but immediately drinkable and smooth

Jan 27th, 2023
KA
9.3

Good wine but too young to drink

Good wine but too young to drink

Jan 11th, 2023
James Vlasic

Jeff’s cellar

Jeff’s cellar

Dec 31st, 2022
Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

Cardinale Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017: Medium-plus body. Perfect balance between acidity & tannins. Big, dark fruit flavors of blackberry, black currant & blueberry and soft notes of vanilla & oak. An unforgettably smooth long finish. For me, this was the highlight wine of the night. Simply amazing! A must try if you want to experience the pinnacle of California Cabernets! Happy New Year to all! Cheers🍷

Cardinale Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017: Medium-plus body. Perfect balance between acidity & tannins. Big, dark fruit flavors of blackberry, black currant & blueberry and soft notes of vanilla & oak. An unforgettably smooth long finish. For me, this was the highlight wine of the night. Simply amazing! A must try if you want to experience the pinnacle of California Cabernets! Happy New Year to all! Cheers🍷

Dec 30th, 2021
Andy Hall

There is magic in this Cabernet (with a touch of merlot). The key theme here is harmony! The relationship and balance between fruit, acid and tannins is very special. This wine sings with depth, nuance, layers and a long soft finish. An amazing effort with mountain fruit from Veeder, Spring, Howell and Diamond Mountains.

There is magic in this Cabernet (with a touch of merlot). The key theme here is harmony! The relationship and balance between fruit, acid and tannins is very special. This wine sings with depth, nuance, layers and a long soft finish. An amazing effort with mountain fruit from Veeder, Spring, Howell and Diamond Mountains.

Mar 23rd, 2021
John Malcolm

Opened six hours beforehand (3 in the bottle and 3 in the decanter). Absolutely fabulous! Dark chocolate and black cherries with a hint of tobacco and leather. Spectacular bouquet and equally spectacular finish.

Opened six hours beforehand (3 in the bottle and 3 in the decanter). Absolutely fabulous! Dark chocolate and black cherries with a hint of tobacco and leather. Spectacular bouquet and equally spectacular finish.

Sep 16th, 2020
Marc Melser

We had the 2012 Vintage on 6/12/20. An excellent full bodied, well balanced wine. Blackberry, graphite and flowers on the bouquet. Blackberry, blueberry oak and spice on the palate. This needed three hours of decanter time.

We had the 2012 Vintage on 6/12/20. An excellent full bodied, well balanced wine. Blackberry, graphite and flowers on the bouquet. Blackberry, blueberry oak and spice on the palate. This needed three hours of decanter time.

Jun 12th, 2020
Andy Hall

Smoking good! Classy high brow cab.

Smoking good! Classy high brow cab.

Sep 12th, 2018