Cardano Estate is a new project established by Edward Lewis Snider, former owner and winemaker at Beau Vigne. The vineyard is a tiny, four and a half-acre plot of Cabernet Sauvignon situated high on Atlas Peak, at 1,200 feet, in an area called “Prichard Ridge.” These first releases are very impressive indeed, delivering powerful fruit juxtaposed by earthy restraint and with a solid backbone for long aging. With Snider’s son, Nicholas, on board, this is a hot newcomer to the Napa Cab scene and one worth jumping onboard early!
Advocate 94pts: Composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Black Fruit sports a deep garnet-purple color. It is a little broody to begin, delivering notes of cedar chest, black olives, pencil shavings and charcoal over a core of cassis, redcurrant jelly, stewed plums and spice box. Full-bodied, the palate has a firm frame of grainy tannins and great tension supporting the taut, muscular black and red fruit, finishing long and earthy. Give this one a couple more years in bottle and drink it over the next 18 years+. 226 cases were made.
Dunnuck 96pts: While a small step up in price, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Black Fruit is worth it and is one of the top values found in the vintage. A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, it has classy, complex notes of blueberries, blackberries, unsmoked tobacco, leather, and white truffle. It’s one of those wines you could smell all night, and it doesn’t disappoint on the palate either, offering full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, and ultra-fine tannins. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 15 years or more.
SRP $75, please reach out to your KJS rep for pricing.