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CHÂTEAU FLEUR CARDINALE

2017 Grand Cru Saint Emilion

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

The 2017 Fleur Cardinale, which was 50% affected by frost, has a flamboyant bouquet that is fortunately well defined and shows a little more composure than past vintages that I often felt were over-egged. This shows more linearity and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, supple tannin, judicious touches of white pepper and Asian spice that enliven the sustained finish whilst all the time retaining a sense of freshness and drinkability. Hopefully a prudent barrel maturation will ensure this turns into a fine Saint-Émilion. Drinking range: 2022 - 2040 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)


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The 2017 Château Fleur Cardinale is a tweaked blend of 45% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon that’s aging in 100% new French oak. Unfortunately, due to the April frosts, there are only 1,000 magnums being produced, but it’s a terrific effort that has more depth and length than most. Cassis, spicy oak, tobacco, and some graphite nuances give way to a medium-bodied, nicely concentrated, balanced 2017 that has rock solid mid-palate density, present, ripe tannin, and a good finish. Give it a few years. Rating: 90-92 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Apr 2018)

There's very little of this wine in 2017 due to the frost. Full credit to Fleur Cardinale for what they have achieved here, producing just eight barrels from an unusual blend and using only first generation fruit. This is full of energy and extremely dark-fruited in expression, showing damson and black cherries alongside softly smoked and grilled almond notes. It has great tension, poise and minerality, and I love it, even if it remains an unusual creation and not typical of their usual style. It will eventually be bottled in just 1,000 magnums. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, Decanter (Apr 2018)

This has a toasty profile, featuring ganache and warm tobacco notes surrounding a core of lightly steeped plum and blackberry fruit. Shows good flesh and depth, with a graphite accent buried through the finish. A very solid version of the style. Rating: 90-93 James Molesworth, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2018)

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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