Cardinale Winery Napa’s Master Wine Tasting

For those of you not familiar with Cardinale, let me share one of the most incredible Cabernet houses in Napa Valley with you, Cardinale Napa Valley.

2018 marked Cardinale’s 35th Birthday and to celebrate, they hosted a Master Wine Tasting with their current head Winemaker, Chris Carpenter along with winemaker emeritus Charles Thomas.

“Cardinale was born in 1982, with a mission to produce a singular Cabernet Sauvignon from the highest-quality vineyards in Napa Valley. All sub-appellations of the region were to be considered, and grape sources could change from year to year, to create the most distinctive wine from each vintage.”  After getting familiar with Cardinale over the years I was ecstatic to be invited to this special birthday and wine tasting occasion.

Cardinale Estate

Cardinale Winery

Since its inception, Cardinale has produced a singular Cabernet Sauvignon comprised of fruit from key vineyards including their estate-owned W.S. Keyes on Howell Mountain and Veeder Peak on Mount Veeder, as well as the acclaimed To Kalon, Vine Hill Ranch and J.J. Cohn vineyards in Napa Valley. Year to year, all vineyard sites are considered, and grape sources change to create a distinctive wine from each vintage. However, the ultimate vision of Cardinale was to source from predominately mountain sites. Thus by 1995, the wine was crafted from predominately mountain fruit, which to this day is the foundation of Cardinale.

Cardinale Winery

Cardinale Winery

Winemaker Chris Carpenter along with winemaker emeritus Charles Thomas leading the tasting. As evident they get along great and it was incredible to hear them each talk about the various vintages they made as well as Charles’ amazing influence on Chris as a mentor and the winemaker he worked under at Cardinale before Charles left the winery.

Cardinale Winery

Cardinale Winery

Cardinale Winery

The beautiful place settings for guests. Everything was so stunning, with no detail left untouched at this beautiful Cardinale Master Tasting.

Cardinale Winery

The Grand Tasting started with the 1995 vintage continuing with another 12 vintages until it’s recent vintage the 2014.  It’s always hard to believe when you get the chance to taste 12 of the same wines and compare them side to side and see the differences. Whether a new vineyard was added to the blend or you can taste the weather changes (hot vs. cold year…). It is truly tastings like this that are where you learn the most about a winery, get to understand the history, the winemaker’s vision while being led through three decades of one of the most highly acclaimed NapaValley Wineries.

Cardinale Winery

Cardinale Winery

Cardinale Winery

Cardinale Estate

I arrived to Cardinale Winery in style with these incredible Lexus LC 500 H wheels. This was super fun and sporty to drive around Napa Valley during this visit which was followed by a visit to Lokoya Winery (another amazing Napa Valley Winery I adore).Thanks again to Spire Collection and Cardinale Winery for hosting me to this amazing afternoon with your team.

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