Château Fleur Cardinale
Saint-Émilion Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Émilion, Libournais, Bordeaux, France
Drank 12 /7/23.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!
Scents of plum, blackberry, currant, and chocolate. Flavors are similar, with blackberry, plum sauce, and soil. Tannins are still firm, but, well integrated and mix with black fruits on the long finish. This one goes on for over a minute. Drinking well now, but showing no signs of slowing down. This should last another 10 plus years, but is in a nice place now.
4/22/8/4/5 +50 = 93 pts.
Great with a NY strip, but even better with the balsamic glaze that complimented it. This pairs wonderfully with sweet dark fruit flavors.
Drank 12 /7/23.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!
Scents of plum, blackberry, currant, and chocolate. Flavors are similar, with blackberry, plum sauce, and soil. Tannins are still firm, but, well integrated and mix with black fruits on the long finish. This one goes on for over a minute. Drinking well now, but showing no signs of slowing down. This should last another 10 plus years, but is in a nice place now.
4/22/8/4/5 +50 = 93 pts.
Great with a NY strip, but even better with the balsamic glaze that complimented it. This pairs wonderfully with sweet dark fruit flavors.
Ready to drink. I like this after supper
Ready to drink. I like this after supper
Apr 27th, 2019
Bought in 2001 by Florence & Dominique Decoster. Ch Fleur was promoted to "Saint-Emilion Grand cru classé" in 2006. I did a vertical ‘12, ‘13 & ‘14, check my notes on ‘14 for conclusion. A blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cab Franc and 5% Cab Sauvignon, deep red with big ripe fruit aromas and gentle notes of floral. Blue & Black berry flavors, great mouthfeel delivers nice balance on structured soft tannins that could benefit with more time, lingering finish ending with smoky mineral notes. Will cellar Nicely!
Bought in 2001 by Florence & Dominique Decoster. Ch Fleur was promoted to "Saint-Emilion Grand cru classé" in 2006. I did a vertical ‘12, ‘13 & ‘14, check my notes on ‘14 for conclusion. A blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cab Franc and 5% Cab Sauvignon, deep red with big ripe fruit aromas and gentle notes of floral. Blue & Black berry flavors, great mouthfeel delivers nice balance on structured soft tannins that could benefit with more time, lingering finish ending with smoky mineral notes. Will cellar Nicely!
Oct 7th, 2017
Goodness... I couldn't get my nose out of the bowl! Where to begin? Espresso, sweet tobacco, mint, vanilla, fresh flowers... I could have made a candle of the scent of this wine and be in heaven! Upon tasting, even if it hadn't had time to open like the rose it was, still flushed an overwhelming wave of red lush fruits, dark ripe blueberry, perfectly harmonizing with the chalk tinge to the firm, yet forgiving tannin that grasped you at the finish. I seriously need to buy this one and give it a chance to unfold and tell me it's secrets! I definitely have a new love for st Emilion..
Goodness... I couldn't get my nose out of the bowl! Where to begin? Espresso, sweet tobacco, mint, vanilla, fresh flowers... I could have made a candle of the scent of this wine and be in heaven! Upon tasting, even if it hadn't had time to open like the rose it was, still flushed an overwhelming wave of red lush fruits, dark ripe blueberry, perfectly harmonizing with the chalk tinge to the firm, yet forgiving tannin that grasped you at the finish. I seriously need to buy this one and give it a chance to unfold and tell me it's secrets! I definitely have a new love for st Emilion..
7 people found it helpfulAug 29th, 2015
This is one of the best wines money can buy at this price range. Represents classic St Emillion wine with a great nose and earthy limestone notes. 2012 was great. Looking forward to 2015 which is rumored to be even better.
This is one of the best wines money can buy at this price range. Represents classic St Emillion wine with a great nose and earthy limestone notes. 2012 was great. Looking forward to 2015 which is rumored to be even better.
2 people found it helpfulSep 18th, 2016
Generous and lush, offering sweet and fine-tuned tannins, framing ripe dark berries and spice flavors with acidity kicking in towards the end, providing balance and early drinking pleasure. Great purity.
Generous and lush, offering sweet and fine-tuned tannins, framing ripe dark berries and spice flavors with acidity kicking in towards the end, providing balance and early drinking pleasure. Great purity.
2 people found it helpfulJan 24th, 2016Aged for about 18 months in French oak (100% new) with a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Classic Bordeaux bouquet of rich black fruits and earthy spice. On the palate blackberry and black cherry flavors with leather, gentle herbs and smoky notes. Round firm tannins, elegant, but needs more time to refine, with nice acidity balance from start to finish. Lingering finish ending with earthy mineral tones. Wait a bit on this one!
Aged for about 18 months in French oak (100% new) with a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Classic Bordeaux bouquet of rich black fruits and earthy spice. On the palate blackberry and black cherry flavors with leather, gentle herbs and smoky notes. Round firm tannins, elegant, but needs more time to refine, with nice acidity balance from start to finish. Lingering finish ending with earthy mineral tones. Wait a bit on this one!
Apr 28th, 2017
Great value and drinking well. PnP but would have benefited from a decant. Dark red color. Earth and smoke on the nose. Rustic wine with nice depth. Solid finish.
Great value and drinking well. PnP but would have benefited from a decant. Dark red color. Earth and smoke on the nose. Rustic wine with nice depth. Solid finish.
Nov 2nd, 2023
Classic Bordeaux. Beautiful nose, merlot shining through. Always happy to drink old wine.
Classic Bordeaux. Beautiful nose, merlot shining through. Always happy to drink old wine.
Oct 31st, 2023