nicholas renzella

9.4

Very tasty wine — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2014 vintage. Named after Valandraud owner Jean-Luc Thunevin's daughter, this estate is planted with 100% Merlot vines, on average 40 years old. Delicious medium-bodied Saint-Emilion-like Bordeaux with a hint of truffle in the nose. Smooth and silky at perfect maturity. Good value at 9,5 euro. — 4 years ago

Jeffrey Long

9.5

Spectacularly complex white Bordeaux. Most huffable. — 7 years ago

with Hongkun and Chris

John Van Trijp

9.7

This 2014 is just released. We tasted this baby en primeur 1,5 year ago at Valandraud during week of primeurs. Ooooh & Aaaaah all over the place! We were in love.....95-96/100 at that time....97+/100 in Bottle! What a sexy multi-layered beast! Walk....NO.....RUN to the shop and BUY!!! THE no.1 value for money wine in the world. 28 euro in Europe, a STEAL! — 8 years ago

Patrick O Driscoll

9.8

This is a fantastic red absolutely smooth with light notes of forest fruits, enjoying this with a piece of red meat, great pairing with friends. — 6 months ago

Blair Campomizzi

9.0

Nice St. Emilion Bordeaux, Blackberry notes drive with more subtle notes of anise and tea. — 4 years ago

with Marilea

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

3rd bottle from a recently acquired six pack...
Considerable bottle variation, but this one is in great condition! Greenish yellow swirl, a lot lighter and brighter than my previous bottle @Valandraud in April.
Yellow flowers, roasted nuts, wet pebbles, hot buttered breadcrust, peach jelly and lemoncurd. Big acidic frame, but certainly enough stuffing and body to save it from being shrill.. Man, this is truly spectacular...!
— 7 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

8.9

2018 vintage. 100% Merlot from this estate in Lalande de Fronsac, named after Valandraud owner Jean-Luc Thunevin's daughter. Another sexy Bordeaux value. Good concentration, ripe fruit, ripe tannin and good acidity. A little alcohol heat in the finish prevents it from a higher score, but very good value at less than 10 euros. — 4 years ago

Muralee Murugesu

9.1

2015 bad boy is an excellent entry level garage wine. Red berries, back berries with silky smooth tannin. Modern Napa style from the maker of famous Valandraud. — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

On the nose, bright, lean, ripe cherries, dark cherries, strawberries, cranberries, pomegranate juice, vanilla, cinnamon, very light spice, wood shavings, loamy soils, dry stones, and bright red fragrant florals. The mouthfeel is lean for Bordeaux. The tannins are lighter than dusty...so resolved. You can tell this is 70% Merlot & 20% Cab Franc as the cherries are singing in harmony better than the group America on the album "Horse with No Name" or for you kids "Fifth Harmony." The rest of the fruits are equally amazing, bright, lean, ripe; cherries, dark cherries, strawberries, cranberries & pomegranate juice. Vanilla, cinnamon, very light spice, wood shavings, loamy clay soils, dry, crushed, fine powdery rocks, dry stones & bright red roses/florals. This wine is pictured in the dictionary under pure elegance. The soft, round, acidity pours over the palate. The fruit driven finish goes on and on. I'm not sure this is going to continue to improve. I think it has about 5 years of good drinking left. Producer notes...Chateau Fleur Cardinale was purchased by Dominique and Florence Decoster in 2001. Prior to buying their first Bordeaux wine estate, they were in the fine porcelain and China business in the Limoges region of France. Chateau Fleur Cardinale is located next door to Valandraud & Rol Valentin & near Chateau Faugeres. Fleur Cardinale takes its name from the myriad of roses and other flowers that are planted around the estate. The 24.5-hectare St. Emilion vineyard of Fleur Cardinale is planted to 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. The oldest Merlot vines are 60 years old and vineyard average is 40 years. The soils of their terroir are clay over limestone. Since 2013, the vineyard is farmed using organic, self-sustainable techniques. For the vinification, the juice undergoes a cold maceration at 5 degrees Celsius for 5 or 6 days. This is followed by alcoholic fermentation and a warm maceration for 2 to 3 weeks. All the pumping over is done by gravity, which avoids stirring the musts and stressing the yeasts. Chateau Fleur Cardinale is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. It is also good paired with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta. Photos of, the Chateau and estate vines, beautiful fruit waiting to be delivered to the Chateau and pressed, the gate entrance and barrel room. The 05 vintage is as beautiful as advertised and drinking better than the 2000's I've had in the last two years. This 05 is a steal for just under $50 when I purchased it in 2007.
#SteakandClaretNight — 7 years ago