What a stunning wine, and although still vibrant and concentrated, it is at a gorgeous moment to drink, really opened up with rose petal aromatics, mouth-wateringly juicy and supple tannins, along with rosemary and sage spice wound through damson and blueberry fruit. Harvest 6 September through to 1 November, after a relatively cool growing season, with very few days topping 100 degrees (38C), even in the warmest locations. This gave it a measured reception on release, but at this point showcases the beauty of Cardinale, where it can maintain its signature punch while leaning in to the cooler fruit character of the vintage. Throwing some deposit at this point, make sure you carafe. Christopher Carpenter winemaker, bottled unfiltered and unfined.

95+ Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, the 2007 Proprietary Red Wine still possesses a youthful deep garnet-purple color and gives up a truly gorgeous nose of crème de cassis, blackberry pie and blueberry compote with notions of Chinese five spice, licorice, mocha and dusty soil plus wafts of cardamom and smoked meats. Full-bodied, rich and totally seductive in mouth, it has a firm frame of super ripe, grainy tannins with oodles of freshness and epic persistence. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

A darkly colored, tannic Cabernet whose dry astringency keeps it from being thoroughly enjoyable now. Despite the astringency, however, it showcases an immaculate core of blackberries and black currants. Elegant and classy, it should age well throughout the decade.