95 Points - Decanter. Like many leading properties in Saint Emilion, Château Fleur Cardinale produced an outstanding wine in 2019. A severe frost in May saw the loss of over 1.5 hectares of grapes, and the heat that followed further reduced yields leaving a small, exceptionally concentrated crop. Being a blend of 71% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet it will drink well young, but has the structure and abundant fruit to age and develop over the next two decades. Decanter awarded the Château Fleur Cardinale 2019 95 points and called it A top buy. Wed describe it as, well, perfect!

Vivino Rating (4.3 Jun 2024)

Wine Press Ratings

95 Points - Decanter

"Really smoky, coffee bean aromas on the nose with ripe blackcurrants. Great texture and flavour here, it's full of herbs and liquorice-tinged black fruits (cherries mainly) but really well integrated so that no one aspect sticks out. Tannins are super fine and smooth and the acidity is well balanced carrying the density of the fruit as well as the freshness. It's a big shouldered wine there's no question, power but also poise. Harmonious, charming and elegant. A very complete wine that is balanced with generous fruit, tannins, acidity and mineral freshness. Feels well handled and just excellently executed. Has a real purity to it with sculpting and refinement. Great stuff and still so juicy and appealing at the end. A top buy."

Taste

The 2019 Château Fleur Cardinale is arguably this propertys greatest wine to date. The extraordinary 2019 vintage frost, drought, rain, sun allowed the team to create a wine of power, richness, and wonderful complexity. Deep ruby, the nose offers smoke (from the new oak), coffee and ripe blackcurrants. Beautifully textured and full, the palate offers everything from black cherries and chocolate to liquorice and herbs. These elements are harmoniously combined and theres a pleasing freshness to the finish. Great now, it has the fruit and the structure to repay keeping.

About the Producer

Château Fleur Cardinale is a leading Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé.  Its 23 hectares of vines lay on the famed St Emilion limestone plateau bordering the Premier Grand Cru Classé B, Château Valandraud.  This gives the vines a slight elevation that adds an extra degree of freshness and structure.  With six different soil types and three grape varieties, Fleur Cardinale is blessed with a range of options each year and consistently produces wines that combine power with refinement.  The current owners have invested heavily in the vineyard and a state-of-the-art winery which has resulted in a run of exceptional wines.