Cardinal Vertical 2000-2002

[TheEngineer]

Great tasting room atmosphere and some pretty good wines to follow....then again, I was absolutely alone in there.

2000 Cardinal, Napa Valley Red Blend
Color of dark garnet-ruby but less opaque than the others. Nose definitely of cherry, dark fruit and chocolate. Palate of the same but with hints of tobacco and more chocolate/coffee at the end. Full body with nice concentration. Reasonable tannins and a good brooding structure to remind you that this is a large wine. $120 per bottle.

2001 Cardinal, Napa Valley Red Blend
Dark purple in color and mostly opaque, this wine was a bit more restrained on the nose, with dark fruits, coffee, and toasted wood. On the palate, lots of dark fruit, a bit smokey, glycol with a bit of green notes. Wine was well balanced. Not sure how long my bottle had been opened for, but certainly appeared to have been well aired out. Packs a punch in a more elegant package. $120 per bottle.

2002 Cardinal, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Colour of a deep opaque inky/purple. Nose of dark dark dark fruit, sweet, cedar and a little smokiness. On the palate, it is rich with a nice concentration of dark fruit, cassis, with a good structure. There is a lot going on in this wine and definitely the fruitiest of the three. Texture is rich with resonabley smooth tannins. No letdown in flavour at any point and a nice clean finish due to a good dose of acidity. My favourite of the three but it is a large wine. $150 per bottle.

[Oenotheque]

How is the aging potential in your opinion? I have some 96 and am thinking that it might be time to bring it up...

[TheEngineer]

eRobert Parker has listed the year at a 90T, which appears to mean that it has a bits more to go. Unfortunately I've got little experience with this wine but seems to be built properly.

Having said that BBC rated the vintage only a 7 and it is ready to drink.

Sorry to add confusion. Anyone else?

[winoweenie]

If you look back on this thread you'll find many 96s' I've opened. IMHO both the 95 and 96 vintages were slightly overlloked because of the hype(well-deserved) on the 94s and the 97s. I think with good cellaring the Cardinale should peak in another 1-2. WW