The 2019 Cardinale is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot, with the Merlot from a particular block on Howell Mountain. Overall, it's about 80% mountain fruit and 20% valley-floor fruit, according to winemaker Chris Carpenter. Cherries and cassis dominate the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich and velvety, with a long, mouthwatering finish that adds barrel-derived notes of vanilla, powdered sugar and cedar.
James Suckling (98)
So much crushed lead pencil, tile and dried flowers, together with blackberries and brambleberries. Full-bodied with round, polished tannins. Layered and so delicious. Black olives and graphite at the end. This potpourri of Napa cabernet character takes your palate on a tour of so many of the regions, including all the mountains, such as Howell, Veeder and Spring Mountain, as well as Atlas Peak, Stags Leap, Yountville and St. Helena. Precision and polish to the wine.
BOW (8.75)
Jancis Robinson (18)
Full bottle 1,472 g. Winemaker Chris Carpenter, Jackson Family Wines\' man in Napa. Blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot from eight appellations, 11 vineyards and 32 individual wine lots. The vintage before the controversial, fire-affected 2020.
Deep crimson. Intensely aromatic with notes of coffee and chocolate but an admirably fresh finish. Really rather subtle and gorgeous. Perfumed and well balanced. Leaves the palate refreshed. The best Cardinale I can remember tasting. Gentler tannins than I can remember in any red bordeaux 2019. Sweet but not sickly fruit. Rather beautiful. I feel sorry for the reds I\'m about to taste. (JR)
Vinous (97)
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most finessed wines I have ever tasted here. That seems to be the direction Chris Carpenter is pursuing of late. So more than a vintage or place (Cardinale is a blend of hillside and valley floor sites) what comes through is the wine's finesse. Floral overtones lift a core of red cherry fruit, pomegranate and blood orange. I imagine the 2019 will enjoy a long life based on its spectacular balance.
