Cardinale’s Proprietary Red Wine is less evolved than some of the other 1997 Napa Cabs tasted in this particular lineup—a palate-saturating blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot is showing extraordinary range of savory tertiary notes—black olive, sun dried tomato, sweet tobacco and an umami-like soy quality, all of which glides over plum compote and black cherry. Surprisingly, too, is that there an impression of freshness despite more mature aromas, it’s garnet-hued, and imbued with fine, velvety tannins.
9.3 Points