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Cardinale Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2011
Rare releaase of one of Napa's most sought-after collector Cabs. Limited. 96 Points Antonio Galloni: "The 2011 Cardinale is another of the many exceptional wines I tasted with Chris Carpenter this year. The 2011 is beautiful and exceptionally polished, but at the same time, the flavors are beautifully defined, crystalline in their beauty and flat-out striking. In this vintage, Cardinale is all about finesse and persistence, with less volume than some previous versions, but a touch more aromatic refinement. Today the 2011 is a bit compact, but I expect it to gain texture with more time in bottle. The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot from vineyards on Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain, the St. Helena bench and a small parcel in Yountville adjacent to Blankiet." The Cardinale Estate is situated on its own knoll in the heart of Napa Valley's renowned Oakville District. It consists of a striking stone winery, which features a spacious tasting room with expansive views overlooking the valley. Cardinale creates a single wine from each vintage. The wine is a limited production Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend made from distinct and diverse mountain vineyards situated in the Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges surrounding the Napa Valley.
Ratings on Delectable
Daniel Mahdavian 
Consulting Somm-Daniel Mahdavian Ventures
Mint full mouth. Layered. Full house. Deep purple. Vanilla and spice. Blue chip and rich.
Mint full mouth. Layered. Full house. Deep purple. Vanilla and spice. Blue chip and rich.
9.5
Rebecca Fletcher
Black fruit, cherry, and plum. Sage, spice, and green chili. M tannin, M+ body and intensity. Dark chocolate, mixture of black and red fruit. Creamy texture. Long finish.
Black fruit, cherry, and plum. Sage, spice, and green chili. M tannin, M+ body and intensity. Dark chocolate, mixture of black and red fruit. Creamy texture. Long finish.
9.0Clarissa Nagy
Dark fruit, luscious tannins, rich body
Dark fruit, luscious tannins, rich body
9.3Joshua Blissett
Wow!! This was certainly a nice gift from a friend!
Wow!! This was certainly a nice gift from a friend!
9.6
John Malcolm
Still wonderful, but not as spectacular as when I last tasted it. Don’t hold much longer if you’re lucky enough to have a bottle.
Still wonderful, but not as spectacular as when I last tasted it. Don’t hold much longer if you’re lucky enough to have a bottle.
9.3John Malcolm
Rated this three years ago. Still holding up beautifully. Decadent, sexy, and elegant. Incredible bouquet. Cassis, dark cherries, blackberries, blueberries, coffee, and chocolate. Amazing wine from a less than amazing year.
Rated this three years ago. Still holding up beautifully. Decadent, sexy, and elegant. Incredible bouquet. Cassis, dark cherries, blackberries, blueberries, coffee, and chocolate. Amazing wine from a less than amazing year.
9.7Winston Biltz
An outstanding wine that has every desirable quality I want in a Napa Cab. Balanced and complex, long finish, currants, cassis, and blackberries. Subtle use of oak.
An outstanding wine that has every desirable quality I want in a Napa Cab. Balanced and complex, long finish, currants, cassis, and blackberries. Subtle use of oak.
9.4John Malcolm
Spectacular! Dark fruits. Lots of black cherry, blueberries, dark chocolate, and sweet tannins. One of the most lovely and luscious finishes I can recall in quite some time. Hats off to Chris Carpenter. I have several more bottles in my cellar which I will enjoy for several more years, but I still wish I had more.
Spectacular! Dark fruits. Lots of black cherry, blueberries, dark chocolate, and sweet tannins. One of the most lovely and luscious finishes I can recall in quite some time. Hats off to Chris Carpenter. I have several more bottles in my cellar which I will enjoy for several more years, but I still wish I had more.
9.7
DE
Amazing..complex..had it with Bison tenderloin and it showed big and complimented perfect. Elegant but still big Cab flavors.. a tint of sweetness on the backend is a rare treat.
Amazing..complex..had it with Bison tenderloin and it showed big and complimented perfect. Elegant but still big Cab flavors.. a tint of sweetness on the backend is a rare treat.
9.5
Edmond Bordelon
Chris Carpenter blends this majestic wine from their four mountain top vineyards. Diamond Mountain, Spring Mountain, Mt Veeder and Howell Mountain. 98 points, and it tastes like it. While everyone had a hard time with 2011, the higher elevations had a better yield, and it is expressed in this opulent wine.
Chris Carpenter blends this majestic wine from their four mountain top vineyards. Diamond Mountain, Spring Mountain, Mt Veeder and Howell Mountain. 98 points, and it tastes like it. While everyone had a hard time with 2011, the higher elevations had a better yield, and it is expressed in this opulent wine.
9.6
See all reviews and ratings on Delectable WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.