98 WA
Cardinale - Napa Valley 2018

    Cardinale - Napa Valley 2018

    USA • Napa Valley • Red

    £852.00 tax included
    £852.00 tax included
    £284.00 / unit
    Packaging : 3 x 75CL - Wooden Case

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    Description

    Cardinal Napa Valley 2018 is a wine red of rare elegance, reflecting the unique terroir of Napa Valley. This exceptional wine, from Cardinale, is an invitation to discover the richness and complexity of Californian wines. A must-have for lovers of great red wines.
    Ratings

    Ratings

    • Parker (WA) 98/100
    • Vinous 97/100
    • James Suckling 97/100
    Notes and pairings

    Notes and pairings

    Tasting notes

    Cardinal Napa Valley The 2018 vintage reveals a deep, intense red color. On the nose, it offers a complex bouquet of ripe black fruit, sweet spices, and subtle oak notes. On the palate, the attack is ample and silky, with elegant tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is long and persistent, leaving an impression of richness and harmony. A wine of great elegance and remarkable complexity.

    Food & wine pairings

    It will perfectly complement grilled red meats, game and aged cheeses.
    Producer

    Producer

    The heart of Cardinale lies in its vineyards located in two prestigious appellations: Mount Veeder and Howell Mountain. The other components come from vines planted on the mountainsides and slopes of Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain, St. Helena, and Stags Leap. Mountain grapes are essential to Cardinale: the vines, thriving in thin, rocky soils on steep slopes, produce grapes with intense aromas, great complexity, and tannins suitable for aging. At lower altitudes, the grapes exhibit a more pronounced floral character, a rich palate, and finer tannins. The blending process creates a unique wine.

    Owner and history

    Cardinale was founded in 1982, with the ambition of producing an exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon from the most prestigious vineyards of the Napa Valley. All the sub-appellations of the region were considered, and the origin of the grapes could vary from year to year, in order to create a unique wine for each vintage. Mountain-grown grapes have increasingly become the basis of the Cardinale blend – primarily from our estate vineyards located in the Diamond Mountain, Spring Mountain, Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder districts – while select hillside grapes and small amounts of Merlot bring additional layers of complexity to each vintage.

    Vinification and aging

    Under the direction of renowned winemaker Chris Carpenter (who also makes Lokoya and La Jota), the 2018 Cardinale is a mosaic of terroirs.

    Composition: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot.

    Origin: The grapes come mainly from mountain vineyards (Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain) complemented by renowned lowland sites such as St. Helena and Stags Leap District.

    Aging: The wine spent 22 months in French oak barrels (approximately 80% new wood), which gives it an imposing but integrated structure.

    The team's opinion

    The 2018 Cardinale is one of the most prestigious and accomplished expressions of the Napa Valley. Unlike many large estates that focus on a single vineyard, Cardinale is a high-fashion blended wine, designed to capture the very essence of the vintage across the entire valley.

    • Serving temperature 16–18 °C

    • Climax 2023 à 2038

    Wine profile

    • Complex
    • Fruity
    • Framed