Cardinale Red 2019 / 14.5% / 0.75 L

Cardinale Winery was founded in 1982 with a clearly defined mission: to create a single, exceptional vintage wine— —a Cabernet Sauvignon of the highest quality—by selecting the best vineyards from across the Napa Valley.
The headquarters is located on a hill in the Oakville district of Napa Valley.Over the years, Cardinale has developed a distinctive style: the grapes come mainly from mountain appellations (m.in.Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, Spring Mountain) — a terroir characterized by steep slopes, rocky soils, and significant sun exposure, which gives the wine its distinctive structure and longevity.

In its approach, the winery—led by head winemaker Christopher Carpenter (“Chris Carpenter”)—treats each vintage like a piece of music: each region is an instrument, and the wine is a symphony.Sources say that the wine is made from several dozen lots of wine from various plots, which undergo a thorough selection process and aging in barrels before being blended into the final blend.

Although Cardinale produces relatively few bottles of each vintage (the result of a very careful selection process), his reputation among collectors and critics is outstanding.The style combines power and the potential for maturation with elegance and precision—the hallmark of the house.

The story of the Class of 2019 shows how Cardinale's mission was brought to life.This year, the wine was blended from 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot.There was a strong emphasis on fruit from mountain vineyards, which gives this vintage its deep character.The wine aged for 21 months in French oak barrels (100% French oak, 81% new barrels) .This high-quality, small-batch aging has resulted in an elegant structure, finesse, and longevity.

Appearance: a deep ruby color with a slightly purple rim, intense clarity, and a “mountainous” sheen.

Aroma: black currant and blackberry on the nose, followed by dried rose, cedar, espresso, a hint of pain grillé, and subtle notes of graphite and minerality.

Taste: full-bodied with a robust yet elegant structure; the influence of fruit from the mountain plots is evident in notes of dark berries and black cherry, with hints of dark chocolate, black olives, graphite, and cedar in the background.The tannins are pronounced and well-rounded; the acidity maintains the wine’s freshness; and the finish is long, with a mineral character and a hint of spice.

Food Pairings: This wine pairs perfectly with hearty dishes—such as aged roast beef, game (deer, venison) with a porcini mushroom andred wine, aged cheeses such as Comté or Parmigiano Reggiano, as well as dishes like California-style osso buco or classic grilled ratatouille (to maintain a balance between the wine’s intensity and a good pairing).