2007 Cardinale Red OBS
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Tasting notes
What a stunning wine, and although still vibrant and concentrated, it is at a gorgeous moment to drink, really opened up with rose petal aromatics, mouth-wateringly juicy and supple tannins, along with rosemary and sage spice wound through damson and blueberry fruit. Harvest 6 September through to 1 November, after a relatively cool growing season, with very few days topping 100 degrees (38C), even in the warmest locations. This gave it a measured reception on release, but at this point showcases the beauty of Cardinale, where it can maintain its signature punch while leaning in to the cooler fruit character of the vintage. Throwing some deposit at this point, make sure you carafe. Christopher Carpenter winemaker, bottled unfiltered and unfined.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, the 2007 Proprietary Red Wine still possesses a youthful deep garnet-purple color and gives up a truly gorgeous nose of crème de cassis, blackberry pie and blueberry compote with notions of Chinese five spice, licorice, mocha and dusty soil plus wafts of cardamom and smoked meats. Full-bodied, rich and totally seductive in mouth, it has a firm frame of super ripe, grainy tannins with oodles of freshness and epic persistence.
(an 84/16 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot) Bright full ruby. Sexy oak complements aromas of crushed cassis, black cherry, violet, licorice and bitter chocolate. Pliant and dense but with a captivating light touch to the dark fruit and violet flavors. Classic firmly structured Napa cabernet, finishing impressively long and lively, with fine-grained tannins. Winemaker Chris Carpenter is able to select from Jess Jackson's Artisans & Estates' best cabernet vineyards around Napa Valley.