Terlato Vineyards
Cardinals' Peak Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
As a wine professional, there are few greater pleasures than a bottle that surprises. All too often, our prejudices influence the experience which is why it’s so important to taste wines in double-blind fashion, and often. This bottle of 2005 Terlato Family Vineyards, “Cardinal’s Peak” blew me away. I don’t know anything about the wine making or fruit source but what was in the glass was simply beautiful.
Poured into a decanter about 90 minutes prior to service and then enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2005 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some light signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of mostly ripe, but also some dried black and red fruits: blackberries, black cherry, black plum, raspberry, pipe tobacco, the purple Now and Laters®️, oiled leather, purple flowers, dark chocolate, coffee, dried forest floor, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and overwhelmingly satisfying. A somewhat, no scratch that, remarkable wine. End stop. Drinking so well right now and absolutely in its prime. Don’t think twice to drink now to enjoy at its very best, but this will continue to drink well through 2030 if you must. 13.8% ABV.
As a wine professional, there are few greater pleasures than a bottle that surprises. All too often, our prejudices influence the experience which is why it’s so important to taste wines in double-blind fashion, and often. This bottle of 2005 Terlato Family Vineyards, “Cardinal’s Peak” blew me away. I don’t know anything about the wine making or fruit source but what was in the glass was simply beautiful.
Poured into a decanter about 90 minutes prior to service and then enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2005 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some light signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of mostly ripe, but also some dried black and red fruits: blackberries, black cherry, black plum, raspberry, pipe tobacco, the purple Now and Laters®️, oiled leather, purple flowers, dark chocolate, coffee, dried forest floor, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and overwhelmingly satisfying. A somewhat, no scratch that, remarkable wine. End stop. Drinking so well right now and absolutely in its prime. Don’t think twice to drink now to enjoy at its very best, but this will continue to drink well through 2030 if you must. 13.8% ABV.
Cab blend showing extremely well at moment. Big black fruits. Cola. Tobacco. Awesome.
Cab blend showing extremely well at moment. Big black fruits. Cola. Tobacco. Awesome.
Nov 26th, 2015
Tobacco, dark cherries, dark chocolate. Nice blend. Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 God bless those who served so we can do what we do.
Tobacco, dark cherries, dark chocolate. Nice blend. Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 God bless those who served so we can do what we do.
May 26th, 2017Intense, inky, with a smooth elegant finish
Intense, inky, with a smooth elegant finish
May 9th, 2017
From before Lehman went bankrupt - woww
From before Lehman went bankrupt - woww
Dec 29th, 2016Velvety smooth. There is a richness almost like chocolate, yet it never overwhelms. There is a mild pepper spice. Fruit flavors, such as berries, or present but blended so that no one stands out. Lovely.
Velvety smooth. There is a richness almost like chocolate, yet it never overwhelms. There is a mild pepper spice. Fruit flavors, such as berries, or present but blended so that no one stands out. Lovely.
Jul 9th, 2016
Terlato's take on Chateau Margaux. Medium-bodied, well-balanced Bordeaux blend.
Terlato's take on Chateau Margaux. Medium-bodied, well-balanced Bordeaux blend.
Jul 4th, 2016
Great bordeaux style Napa Cab. Hints of mint and eucalyptus on the nose, with balanced elegance throughout. Love this Cab
Great bordeaux style Napa Cab. Hints of mint and eucalyptus on the nose, with balanced elegance throughout. Love this Cab
Jun 10th, 2016Rutherford Hill's version of Chateau Margaux. 2012 vintage. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford Hill's version of Chateau Margaux. 2012 vintage. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon
Jun 9th, 2016