Cardinale
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Popped and poured. The 2019 pours a deep garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart red and black fruits, green pepper, tobacco, dried herbs, chocolate, purple flowers, cedar box, and baking spice. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ viscosity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. While Cardinale may not be the “sexiest” label in Napa, it’s got nearly 40 years of history as a consistently exceptional example of Napa, Mountain fruit, Cabernet Sauvignon. If I had this vintage in my cellar, I would decant for an hour+ before service but it shows well on the pop and pour. Drink now with air and through 2049.
Popped and poured. The 2019 pours a deep garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart red and black fruits, green pepper, tobacco, dried herbs, chocolate, purple flowers, cedar box, and baking spice. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ viscosity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. While Cardinale may not be the “sexiest” label in Napa, it’s got nearly 40 years of history as a consistently exceptional example of Napa, Mountain fruit, Cabernet Sauvignon. If I had this vintage in my cellar, I would decant for an hour+ before service but it shows well on the pop and pour. Drink now with air and through 2049.
Dec 31st, 2024
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.
