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Château Fleur Cardinale Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 (Magnum 1.5L)

Reviews

94+ -Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Fleur Cardinale—composed of 74% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon—leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of wild blueberries, crushed blackberries and ripe, juicy plums, plus hints of sandalwood, unsmoked cigars, menthol and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of ripe black and blue fruits, framed by velvety tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing long with lots of mineral and exotic spice layers. A very stylish Saint-Émilion!

94 -Vinous -

The 2018 Fleur Cardinale is bright and focused, yet has all of the raciness the estate's fans have come to expect. Inky red fruit, blood orange, spice, mint and rose petal develop with a bit of coaxing. Today the 2018 is a bit tightly wound, but that should serve it just fine as it ages in bottle. Pretty Cabernet Franc accents linger on the persistent finish.

94 -Decanter -

An estate that is just doing such good work right now. This was delicious en primeur and for me a little better in bottle. Has that slow slate-textured finish that makes things inch along slowly, giving time to appreciate the rich berry fruits and floral edge to the aromatics. An interesting initiative in the packaging also, with a wooden cask that has instructions for being turned into a bird box afterwards, encouraging recycling. A yield of 45l/ha. 100% new oak.

94 -Jeb Dunnuck -

The Grand Vin 2018 Château Fleur Cardinale checks in as a mix of 74% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in new French oak. It has integrated its oak elevage beautifully and while it has a kiss of modern character and polish, it still has loads of classic Saint-Emilion character, as well as minerality. Deep ruby/plum hued with a gorgeous bouquet of black cherries, white truffles, camphor, lead pencil, and exotic spices, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a beautifully balanced, layered texture, building, firm tannins, and a great finish. It's certainly in the same class as the 2015 and 2016, but the cellar is going to be your friend. Hide bottles for at least 4-6 years and it should cruise for 20 years or more.

94 -James Suckling -

94 -Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider -

94 -Jane Anson -

Rich autumnal fruits, architectural with plenty of tannic muscle, still closed at this stage with clear ageing potential. As it opens, the polished, confident and well balanced house signature of Fleur Cardinale comes to the fore, delivering juicy damson and blackcurrant fruits, all expertly judged and with velvet textured tannins that keep pace through the mid palate. You feel that you are in safe hands here, just give it another four or five years to open up.

93 -Wine Enthusiast -

93 -Wine Spectator -

92 -Falstaff -

Technical Details

Blend 74% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc & 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
Winemaker Jean-Philippe Fort with consulting enologist Michel Rolland
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub Region Right Bank
Appellation Saint-Émilion
Vineyard Estate Vineyards of Château Fleur Cardinale
Farming Method Certified Sustainable
Oak 100% new French oak barrels; 3% aged in amphorae
Fermentation Separated plot by plot, and variety by variety, then destemmed into 22 Tronco-conical temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for alcoholic & malolactic fermentation. 10% fermented in 500L barrels
Aging / Cooperage 18 months
Alcohol 14.5%

Château Fleur Cardinale Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 (Magnum 1.5L)

Name: Château Fleur Cardinale Grand Cru Classé Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 (Magnum 1.5L)
Brand: First Bottle
SKU: 1014976
Price: 129.95 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Bordeaux Blends | Bordeaux

WA94+, VN94, DC94, JD94, JS94, JL94, JA94, WE93, WS93, FS92

Certified Sustainable

$170.00

$129.95

1.5L

23% OFF RETAIL!

The Decoster family purchased this estate in Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse, on the north-facing slope of Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau, in 2001, enlisting their legendary neighbor Jean-Luc Thunevin of Château Valandraud as consultant. The result has been a rapid ascent in quality, with Grand Cru Classé classification achieved just five years after their arrival. The 2018 is a blend of 74% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, drawing scores across the critical spectrum: Wine Advocate 94+, Vinous 94, Decanter 94, Jeb Dunnuck 94, James Suckling 94, James Lawther 94, Wine Enthusiast 93, Wine Spectator 93, and Farr Vintners 92. The nose shows black cherry, white truffle, camphor, lead pencil, and exotic spice, with a full-bodied, finely balanced palate and building tannins that speak to a long and rewarding future. In magnum, at an incredibly well-priced level for what's inside. A serious cellar buy.

About The Producer

One of Saint-Émilion's more compelling recent success stories, Château Fleur Cardinale owes its name to two racehorses. The estate originally operated as Clos Bel-Air, but was renamed in 1975 by the Obessier family after their beloved horses, Fleur and Cardinale, had passed. The property's modern chapter began in 2001, when Dominique and Florence Decoster — who had spent 30 years in the fine porcelain trade in Limoges — made a life-changing pivot and purchased the estate on the clay-limestone plateau of Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse. With neighbor Jean-Luc Thunevin of Château Valandraud as consultant, they invested heavily and drove the estate to Grand Cru Classé status in just five years, confirmed again in 2012. Today the estate is run by the next generation — Ludovic and Caroline Decoster — who have added their own creative energy, launching a second wine and achieving full organic certification in 2024. Across 23.5 hectares of late-ripening terroir at one of the appellation's high points, the wines show a signature dark, mineral precision with silky tannins and genuine aging potential.

$170.00

$129.95

1.5L

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