- BrandCardinale
- CountryUSA
- RegionNapa Valley
- TypeRed Wine
- Size6
- SKU 210000049073
Cardinale is based on a blend of different appellations; it is also a compendium of stories: How those vineyards came to be included in the wine, the interactions with vineyard and winery staff who came in and out of the picture as the grapes and wine were evolving, how each vineyard fared in that vintage’s particular weather, and my own process of observation and blending to capture all those strands. This is really what Cardinale hopes to share.
The 2021 holds many stories, including joyfully mild weather, small yields of phenomenal fruit, and the histories of 14 vineyards. It also has its own narrative of bright fruit driven by a core of blueberry, cassis, dark chocolate-covered espresso bean, Asian spice, and graphite. This is a great example of the vintage.
Critical Acclaim
100 Jeb Dunnuck
The perfect 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot, all of which spent 22 months in 80% new French oak. The idea of this release is to showcase fruit from throughout the valley, and to say that winemaker Chris Carpenter succeeded would be an understatement. It boasts off-the-charts richness and depth as well as notes of cassis, toasted spices, graphite, tobacco, and espresso, with perfectly integrated oak. Inky purple-hued, full-bodied, voluptuously textured, and flawlessly balanced, it can be drunk any time over the coming 25 years or more.
99 James Suckling
Lovely purple fruits with violets, lead pencil, mint, crushed stones, pine needles, resin, and ceramic. Medium to full body with ultra-fine tannins that show a silky beautiful texture. Blend of Stags Leap, Saint Helena, Yountville, and Atlas Peak plus all the mountain vineyards of Cardinale.
97 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Cardinale is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon from nine different AVAs, plus 9% Merlot from the Jackson Family's Keyes Vineyard on Howell Mountain. Scents of black cherries, cassis, graphite and crushed stone appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, generous, concentrated and expansive, then tightens up and becomes more classically structured and dusty on the lingering, mouthwatering finish.
95 Wine Spectator
Offers a frankly toasty frame of licorice and apple wood wrapped around a more than adequate core of plum and black currant preserves, all laced with a violet note. Sleek and reserved through the finish, with an iron hint peeking out amid the fruit, this offers length and a lovely mouthfeel and should develop well in the cellar while soaking up its toast. Best from 2026 through 2038.