SKU: 01164

Chateau Fleur Cardinale Saint Emilion 2018

ws96
jd94+
we94
v94
wa93

750ml

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Category	Red Wine
Varietals	Merlot Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon
Origin	France, Bordeaux, St. Emilion
Brand	Chateau Fleur Cardinale
Alcohol/vol	14.5%

In 2001, Florence and Dominique Decoster bought Château Fleur Cardinale, located in the east of Saint-Émilion, on one of the highest points of the appellation. Thanks to constant investments, both in the vineyard and in the winery, Château Fleur Cardinale quickly became a blue chip of the appellation. Noted for its consistent quality, Château Fleur Cardinale was promoted to the rank of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé in 2006 and confirmed in 2012. In 2011, Florence and Dominique Decoster acquired Château Croix Cardinale Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, next to Château Fleur Cardinale.

Château Fleur Cardinale is planted to 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an average vine age of 45+ years. This high-altitude, limestone-rich site, is always picked late for optimal concentration and ripeness, and the wine usually spends 12-15 months in new oak barrels.

'The approach at Fleur Cardinale results in wines with a deep and powerful color and lots of body, vigor and depth. These modern wines have nevertheless retained all of the fruity and mineral identity that is worthy of the very fine wines of Saint-Émilion and of Bordeaux.' Jean-Philippe Fort, Oenologist at the Michel Rolland Laboratory

'Fleur Cardinale, which has been in the hands of Florence and Dominique Decoster since 2001, has been producing great wines with clockwork regularity every year and as a result is now considered one of the best 100 growths in Bordeaux. It came as no surprise when it was promoted to Classified Growth status in 2006, which it maintained in the new 2012 classification. The Decosters have been unwavering in their determination to get the best possible results every year regardless of cost or the efforts that may be necessary. I’ve been very proud to be the consultant for this property and to become a friend of the Decoster family. And whatever the successes or partial successes we may have achieved, we won’t hesitate to keep on making the best wine possible to meet the high expectations of our customers, who in the end are the only real judges of what we do.

In each vintage, I believe we have given it all we can, setting the bar higher the following year, seeking that extra detail which further enhances this lovely estate standing just next door to Valandraud and located undoubtedly in one of Saint-Emilion’s best wine growing areas. Our vineyard crew working among the old vines of the estate shows the greatest care for the natural environment and tends the vineyard as they would the loveliest of gardens, helping produce wines that are the fullest expression of a grand vin.' Jean-Luc Thunevin, consultant

Wine Spectator

ws96

Offers lovely fruit, with exotic plum and boysenberry notes gliding along, carried by a very velvety structure. The long finish has a nice flow, showing a latent anise echo. Seems to be holding back a bit, but there's some serious depth of fruit here. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. 10,000 cases made, 2,500 cases imported. (Barrel Tasting) 93-96

2019

Jeb Dunnuck

jd94+

The 2018 Château Fleur Cardinale shows the subtle change in style at this estate, offering slightly more elegance and finesse while still packing plenty of fruit and texture. Coming from a 23.5-hectare vineyard consisting mostly of older vines, the 2018 is currently a tentative blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon that was harvested starting on September 27th, which is a record early date for this estate. It hit 14.5% alcohol and will spend 12-14 months in new French oak. Perfumed notes of cassis, black raspberries, violets, and spring flowers all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, elegant texture, terrific ripeness, and sweet tannins. It's an elegant yet still sexy wine that shows the vintage beautifully. 92-94+

May 1, 2019

Wine Enthusiast

we94

Barrel Sample. Ripe and juicy, this is a delicious wine with its fine tannins and acidity already in harmony. The structure of the wine is powerful with a dry core that will broaden out as the wine matures. 92-94

April 1, 2019

Vinous

The 2018 Fleur Cardinale is gorgeous. Supple, racy and wonderfully persistent, the 2018 is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Blackberry jam, cloves, chocolate, new leather, licorice and sweet spice all build in a sumptuous, voluptuous Saint-Émilion loaded with class and potential. The question now is really how the 2018 will develop in élevage. Past vintages have been impressive en primeur but then suffered from too much oak during aging. Hopefully that won't be the case here, as the 2018 is really terrific. In the early going, the 2018 does feel a bit less extracted than in the past, and that is certainly a positive development. The blend is 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 91-94

April 2018

Wine Advocate

wa93

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Fleur Cardinale features pronounced baked blueberries, stewed black plums and blackberry preserves scents with touches of bay leaves, moss-covered bark and forest floor. Full-bodied and laden with black fruit preserves sparked by earth and dried herbs, it has a solid backbone of ripe, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long. Barrel aging is expected to be for 12-14 months in 100% new oak barrels. The tentative blend is 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 91-93

April 23, 2019