2019 Cardinale Estate Red

A meticulously crafted small production wine from Mad Scientist, blending grapes from 32 lots across 11 vineyards in Napa's diverse mountain regions.

Producer

Cardinale

Region

Napa Valley, CA

Country

USA

Varietal

Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal Composition

91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot

Specifications

2019

Vintage

2039

Drink By

ABV

Vinification

Occasional wine note

This is a brilliant Mad Scientist production. The winemaker here uses grapes from 32 individual wine lots across 11 vineyards sitting in 8 wine appellations, including 4 of Napa's mountain regions. This is not a hodge podge by no means, rather; it is a meticulously crafted small production labor of love that just delivers 750ml of brilliant.

What experts say about this wine

100

James Suckling

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. Drinkable now, but better to hold.

100

Jeb Dunnuck

Pure, classic California notes of crème de cassis, spicy oak, chalky minerality, graphite, and spring flowers emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot that's sourced from multiple mountain AVAs in the valley. Full-bodied and powerful on the palate, it has a deep, rich mid-palate, beautiful tannins, notable acidity, and a great, great finish. It's another brilliant wine from Carpenter that can offer pleasure today yet also evolve for 20-25 years or more.

pairing recommendation