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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Cardinaletext
97POINTS
19/20

Cardinale 2015

California, United StatesEvery year Cardinale begins with 50 different lots of wine that winemaker Chris Carpenter eventually reduces to a handful of complex, aromatic samples that are all about intensity, texture and length. In 2015 it was Diamond Mountain and Spring Mountain that would carry the load. Carpenter and his followers insist that the wine be different every year by taking what the land gives you. In this case, the red, floral fruit of Spring Mountain is the shell while the Diamond Mountain fruit supplies the rich mid-palate and refined, dense, silky tannins. Volume is low, the yields are down, and the cases are few. A slightly cooler version than 2014 attracts, making it at least as good, if not better than last year. Time will tell. If you can’t wait, lamb leg would be the match for the moment. Cardinale offers a broad mix of 100 percent Napa Valley vineyards: Veeder Peak, W.S. Keyes, Yverdon and Van Z. The 2015 blend is 90 percent cabernet sauvignon, 10 percent merlot all aged 20 months in 100 percent French oak, 84 percent new. The alcohol tops out at 14.5 percent.Tasted: 06 February 2019Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:
BC$359.99750mlBCLS
QC$379.00750mlSAQ
ON$485.00750mlThe Beer Guy
Producer: CardinaleDistributors: Summit Fine Wines
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon - MerlotCSPC: 163513UPC: 626990248194