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CHÂTEAU LA FLEUR CARDINALE

2012 Grand Cru Saint Emilion Château Fleur Cardinale

Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Sub-district Saint Emilion & Satellites
Village Saint Emilion
Classification Grand Cru
ABV 14%

75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Black as the ace of spades. Blackcurrant cordiale incarnate. Sweet, pure and ripe. Then unexpectedly thick tannins on the palate. A bit tough on the finish but might come round. 2017 - 2025. Rating: 16 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (May 2013)


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The 2012 Fleur Cardinale is a beautiful example of modern Saint-Emilion. Silky tannins and soft contours wrap around a core of red cherry jam, wild flowers, mint, cinnamon and white pepper. Dramatic and expansive on the palate, the 2012 shows remarkable nuance for such an intense wine. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. Drinking range: 2018 - 2032 Rating: 93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jan 2016)

Rating: 86 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (May 2013)

This full-bodied beauty exhibits a dense opaque purple color in addition to copious notes of creme de cassis, kirsch, licorice and incense. It should drink well for 15-20 years. This will be a sleeper of the vintage A superstar of the vintage (not surprising given how successful the proprietors, the Decoster family, have been over the last decade or more), this 58-acre vineyard located near the village of St.-Etienne de Lisse enjoyed yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare. The harvest took place extremely late — between October 22 and November 3. The final blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon came in at 13.5% natural alcohol. Every detail, both in the vineyard and the winery, is looked after by the meticulous owners. This will be a sleeper of the vintage as the Decosters have been among the most realistic proprietors in Bordeaux when it comes to pricing their wines. Drink 2033. Rating: 92-95 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (May 2013)

Château Fleur Cardinale

A Grand Cru Classé Bordeaux located on one of the highest points of the Saint-Émilion appellation, owned by Florence and Dominique Decoster - who used to be in the porcelain trade. The vineyards of Château Fleur Cardinale spread over 18 hectares, with an average vine age of 35 years, and are planted at a density of 6000 vines/hectare. Florence and Dominique bought the property in 2001, and the property quickly gained the ranking of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé in 2006.

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