Isaac Pirolo

9.2

Bootleg is the newest Napa label under the Jackson Family umbrella, which also includes Cardinale, Freemark Abbey, Galerie, La Jota, Lokoya, and Mt. Brave. The label pays homage to “the winegrowing rogues, who smuggled vine cuttings from renowned French vineyards and replanted them in California.” Kristy Melton, formerly director of winemaking at Clos du Val, crafts the wines and this blend of 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petite Sirah, 21% Zinfandel, 12% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot. The fruit is sourced from vineyards on Atlas Peak, Oakville, Mt. Veeder, Rutherford and Spring Mountain. Parker called it “off-the-charts in terms of its hedonistic appeal” and I can’t disagree. Blackberry, kirsch and cassis combine to yield an ultra rich fruit bomb, but it doesn’t stop there, adding Rutherford dust, cocoa powder, licorice, purple flowers, cedar, and crushed rock. I’ve heard several comparisons of this to the wines of Orin Swift, and while both are fruit bomb, high octane wines, I’m more inclined to compare this to something like Andy Erickson’s Leviathan. — 8 years ago

Cody Short

9.3

Really good but expected more. Cardinale and VHR were better — 9 years ago

M M

9.0

Delicious — 10 years ago

George M Wood

9.1

As good as we remember it from our many visits to Cardinale. — 10 years ago

with Nury

Jason Wicklund

9.4

Nice, rich and fruity!
— 11 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.1

Single-handedly responsible for the creation of Sonoma's Bennett Valley AVA, Matanzas Creek Winery has been championing the appellation since 1977. Winemaker Marcia Torres Forno, originally from Chile, moved to Napa Valley and cut her teeth at Cardinale as an enologist and later Kendall-Jackson as an assistant winemaker, before landing at Matanzas Creek in 2010. Their 2015 Sonoma County Chardonnay is full-frontal malo. Popcorn butter, roasted hazelnut, poached pear, with a side of grilled tropical fruit salad of guava, mango, and papaya. — 8 years ago

Cody Short

9.5

WOTN with Cardinale. Elegant, balanced and drinking at peak. Beautiful Pomerol — 9 years ago

Atilio Grimani

9.2

Creo que es el mejor blanco que he probado. Eso si, hay que tomarlo bien frío. Genial. — 9 years ago

Chris Regina

9.0

Plum. Black currant. Oak. Black cherry. Licorice. — 10 years ago

Liane Manso Betton

9.0

Crisp and refreshing — 11 years ago

AG

8.9

Crisp, tart, dry... great way to start the evening at the Cardinale Estate. — 9 years ago

AG

10

Opened this magnum for Christmas dinner. The first La Jota vintage finished by renowned winemaker Christopher Carpenter (Cardinale, Lokoya). Large format aging beautifully. Round tannins, dark fruit, and earth. — 9 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Light straw in color with a golden hue.

Very aromatic nose of lemons, white flowers, yeast, green apples, grapefruits, minerals, spices, herbs and white pepper.

Light bodied with high acidity and a lot of tiny bubbles.

Dry on the palate with green apples, grapefruits, bread, spices and white pepper.

Medium plus in length with limes and bitter almonds.

A well balanced sparkling wine from France. Enjoyable by itself or with food. Good quality, fruity and refreshing.
I had it at the end of the meal, by itself. This is delightful.

10.5% alcohol by volume. — 9 years ago

Elizabeth Duda

9.7

"Stahp... Oh that's good" - Peter Cardinale. Fruity notes with a back presence of pear. — 10 years ago

with Peter

Florrie Hendrix

10

Florrie had this 11 years ago

Alexa Rose

10

I love this. Thank you everyone at Cardinale, you are all amazing. — 12 years ago

with Glen