Cardinale Estate Red 2016

17 reviews for Cardinale Estate Red 2016

1. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   John Deines – November 1, 2019

   That’s really big macho Cabernet. Big on fruit and tannin. Hollow in the mid but poured out of Corvin so not much air easing it in. 87% Cabernet apparently.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Casey Shannon – November 29, 2019

   Pure and amazingly complex. A wine to study over many decades, there are no flaws with this ode to perfection. Blackberry, crème de cassis, black tea, freesia, granite and wild mushroom. I cannot find a flaw with this seamless, layered, majestic wonder. The finish goes on for over a minute, and every millimeter of your palate is enshrouded in fine-grained tannins and poise. This is so young, and absolutely delicious. Voluptuous and not shy, yet floats on a cloud. Legendary. Tasted at the winery. Drink 2026 -.

3. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   George Weiss – December 23, 2019

   This rich and elegant wine is drinking beautifully right now, with the lush roundness of 2016, along with the bright acidity and elegant mouthfeel of Spring Mountain fruit. This is my favorite Cardinale since the 2012, and I think this may have even more upside. This is a remarkable wine, right now, and it should get even better with another few years.Dark purple in color, the wine is beautifully medium in body, with a lightness and energy in the mouth that is incredible for such a layered and ripe wine. As you would expect from a wine drawn mostly from Spring Mountain, the aromas are lively and floral, with welcoming notes of warm herbs, lavender, blackberry, and cocoa powder. The tastes lean more red than blue fruit, with notes of sour cherry, blueberry tart, espresso, rosemary, and volcanic rock, with a finish that carries dusty tannins – and a hint of camphor – and goes on and on. 14.5% alcohol. The balance between indulgence and restraint here is remarkable, with lush fruit, complex flavor, and graceful mouthfeel. Blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot. Drawn almost entirely from mountain fruit (with 53.75% from Spring, 22.25% Howell, 12.5% Diamond, 9% Veeder) and only 2.5% from the valley floor (St. Helena). Decant at least an hour. At the risk of sounding like a winery tasting note, this is (truly) a wine that can be enjoyed now or in 10 years – but I’ll open my next one in 2021.

4. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Chandra Holmes – January 6, 2020

   Another Year, Another Napa (aka Winter in Wineland IV); 1/5/2020-1/11/2020 (Napa/Sonoma California): To me this was all plum and blueberry. Not over the top fruity but fruit is the dominant flavor. It’s young and needs some time for the secondary characteristics to come into place. Overall though a nice wine. A touch overshadowed because that 2016 Diamond Mtn in the tasting was just singing.

5. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Albert Ward – February 7, 2020

   A few California wines: Lively purple color. Gorgeous depth of aromas here, with deep, inviting plums, black cherries and cassis, along with warm mulling spices, violets, coffee and loamy soil. On the palate, this has lots of depth, but the tannins have rounded edges, and the wine is brightened with fresh acidity, and the mouthfeel is fantastic. Pure cassis, blueberry and black cherry fruit, which is mixed well with complex notes of violets, coffee grounds, mocha, anise, tobacco and toffee. I love the fresh, crunchy aspect of this wine despite its hedonism and depth. Year-in, year-out, this wine rocks, and 2016 is another example. A blend from some 11 vineyards, this is Cabernet with 11% Merlot, aged 20 months in 93% new French oak.

6. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Sonya Wright – June 30, 2020

   First time trying this wine. Did virtual tasting with winery. Absolutely amazing, off the charts Cab. Decanted for an hour prior to tasting. Beautiful aromas of black berries, plums with a touch of lavender. Initial taste had some hints of red berries but then mid palate, mocha and maybe even anise? We couldn’t decide. But the finish was nice – not super long. Tanning structure is there but definitely ready to drink now. Although a few more years in bottle would probably even further evolve the complexity of the wine.

7. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Debbie Chen – March 11, 2021

   Very young and still absolutely amazing. Silky tannins, chocolate and just the right amount of acidity. I can’t wait to try this in 5 and 10 yrs. Party for 1, Halls chop House Summerville SC. Ask for Corey, Sergio Somm

8. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Byron Lawyer – April 27, 2021

   Fresh dark fruits bouquet, inky purple red, smooth tannins, good depth, full body, excellent complexity, balanced, pretty acidity, long aftertaste.

9. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Wanda Dawson – February 6, 2022

   This wine was enjoyable tonight but acheived no level of greatness throughout an entire evening. Solid, but nothing Remarkable. .

10. 

    Rated 4 out of 5

    Herschel Leal – March 24, 2022

    Sweet perfumed black cherry liquor aromas. Really beautiful . Dark brooding violet flavors, blend of all 4 mountains. Tastes like a symphony. Well balanced and refined. Nice dark fruits with good lift and well integrated tannins. Smooth and elegant.

11. 

    Rated 4 out of 5

    Jason Glynn – September 26, 2022

    Pretty amazing stuff which is typical for Cardinale. I love this wine and have never been disappointed. The prototype for big, powerful, full bodied California cab so if you like that style, you’ll love this.

12. 

    Rated 4 out of 5

    Carl Guerra – November 11, 2022

    CBCC fall wine tastingA Chris Carpenter legendary vintage. My WOTN. Drank well right now but I must worn you this is built to improve so hold. The notes here on CT speak for themselves. Big Cali modern Cab !

13. 

    Rated 4 out of 5

    WS – March 23, 2023

    Warm and rich in feel, with a multilayered beam of plum and cassis flavors, laced with smoldering vanilla bean, tobacco and loam notes. Black licorice details lurk in the background. Ends with a broad swath of fruit and smoke. Drink now through 2032.

14. 

    Rated 4 out of 5

    WE – March 23, 2023

    With 11% Merlot, the grapes sourced from multiple stellar sites, this captivating red impresses in its firm grasp of complex herb and spice. Sage, clove and woody tannin grip a core of currant, cranberry and high-toned red fruit, the texture dusty and lengthy. This will do well in the cellar, but is equally irresistible now.

15. 

    Rated 4 out of 5

    WA – March 23, 2023

    The deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is blended of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot. It opens with compelling chocolate box and licorice scents over a core of black and red currants, warm plums and baking spices with hints of cedar chest and pencil lead. The palate is full-bodied with layers of cassis and kirsch flavors framed by firm, grainy tannins and fabulous freshness, finishing long and spicy.

16. 

    JD – March 23, 2023

    Just about as close to perfection as a wine can get, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from winemaker Chris Carpenter comes mostly from mountain vineyards and is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot. This full-bodied, rounded, thrillingly textured beauty boasts a saturated purple color as well as a huge nose of crème de cassis, new saddle leather, barbecue smoke, and scorched earth. It has perfect integration of its fruit, tannins, acidity, and oak, carries remarkable power and intensity, yet still glides over the palate with no heaviness or sensation of weight. It’s going to be a legendary Napa Valley Cabernet and will have 3 decades or more of longevity.

17. 

    Rated 4 out of 5

    TP – March 23, 2023

    Deep garnet color and a lush nose of plum and vanilla. Silky with bright plum, soft new oak, and tangy acidity, this wine is another addition to winemaker Chris Carpenter’s series of masterpieces for this label. It promises to have a very long life.