Cardinale
Red
Napa Valley
2021
Vintage
Varietal
Shiraz/Syrah
ABV
14.7%
Where it is, October 2026
Approaching Peak: the peak window is ahead.
This bottle can be opened now, but it remains pre-peak; holding until 2028 should bring more integration, with peak drinking projected through 2047 and a broader drinking horizon to 2055.
The ‘21 Red.
Cardinale 2021 is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 9% Merlot.
Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) drinking timeline
Storage and bottle condition can shift the experience.
The peak window sits inside the broader full drinking arc.
Tasting note
Cardinale 2021 combines blueberry and cassis with espresso, Asian spice, graphite, and a dark cocoa accent. Full body and firm tannins give the fruit a broad, structured frame, while balanced acidity keeps the finish composed.
The 2021 vintage
Winemaker Christopher Carpenter presents 2021 as a strong year in Napa Valley. The finished wine is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot, matured for 22 months in French oak, 80% of it new, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
About Cardinale
Cardinale builds its Cabernet Sauvignon by blending fruit from multiple Napa Valley appellations. For the 2021 release, Christopher Carpenter selected Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to express the vintage as one integrated wine.
From the cellar: pair with
Grilled Wagyu tenderloin
Grilled Wagyu tenderloin has the protein and richness to meet the wine's firm tannins and full body.
Slow-roasted short rib
Slow-roasted short rib matches the wine's full body, while its savory depth complements the dark-fruit profile.
Lamb rack with herbed crust
Lamb rack with herbed crust has enough richness for the tannins, while the herbs echo the wine's savory spice.
More from Napa Valley
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- 2024Napa Valley College Stags Leap District Sauvignon Blanc
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Frequently Asked
What is Cardinale 2021?
Cardinale 2021 is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 9% Merlot.
What does Cardinale 2021 taste like?
Blueberry, cassis, espresso, Asian spice, graphite, and dark cocoa sit in a full-bodied, firmly tannic frame.
When should Cardinale 2021 be opened?
The canonical CAI full drinking arc is 2026-2055. Within that arc, the peak window is 2028-2047. The full arc is the broader period the wine may drink well; the peak window is when it is most likely to show its best balance. Storage, fill level, cork condition, and preference can shift the decision. Taste before adding more air or holding the rest.
What pairs with Cardinale 2021?
Pair it with grilled Wagyu tenderloin, slow-roasted short rib, or lamb rack with herbed crust.