Another item in our auction that has garnered a perfect score from a besotted critic is the 2006 Cardinale, one of the world-class wines from the Napa Valley in California.

Steve Heimoff gave the wine 100/100 in the Wine Enthusiast when he tasted it in January 2010, and the magazine named it one of the best wines of 2010. Heimoff wrote, “Tasted in a flight of great and famous Napa wines, this Cardinale stood at the head of the pack. Starts with a very fine nose of cedar, cassis, ripe blackberries and violets, then turns dramatic and refined in the mouth. Shows vast depth and length, with the finish a full minute of sweet fruits and spices. Marvelous tannins, so plush and elegant, so powerful yet refined. The grapes hail from Mt. Veeder, Howell Mountain, Stags Leap and Oakville, and the blend contains 14% Merlot. As good as it is now, it will improve for at least eight years.”

If Heimoff is right, that would mean that the Cardinale 2006 is just reaching its peak now. Bring it home from the auction and enjoy it in 2018!