Château Fleur Cardinale Saint-Émilion 2020 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Florence and Dominique Decoster, their son Ludovic and his wife Caroline have developed a passion for this 23-hectare hillside estate near Castillon. The wines have a rare generosity, even in average vintages, and have gained in tannin finesse. It's one of Saint-Émilion's best-sellers, and the new winery has already improved precision and purity. So much progress and effort. This cru is on its way to the top.

Decanter

About the wine:

Supple and utterly charming, with a juicy core, fine tannins and chalky edges. This wine is still quite reserved, not showing its full breadth, but I love the detail and precision of the elements. It's elegant and well-made, dark and ominous, concentrated and ripe, with licorice and clove notes that reveal oak, but there's a refinement in texture and overall weight. It's broad-shouldered but has a charming core. It's clean and confident. It's powerful, with layers of flavors and textures, but structured and very well presented. Impressive. 2024-2036

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

In 2001, Dominique and Florence Decoster acquired Ch. Fleur Cardinale, a 23.5-hectare estate on one of the highest points of the AOC, to the east of Saint-Émilion. Their investments quickly bore fruit: in 2006, the steadily-growing estate joined the ranks of the "classés", a ranking confirmed in 2012. The estate expanded by 4 ha in 2011 with the purchase of the neighboring Croix Cardinale vineyard. Ludovic Decoster joined the estate in 2015 and holds the position of Operations Manager.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

The Decoster family (from Limoges porcelain, Haviland) has spared no effort to make this cru one of the appellation's best values. This beautiful property, located in the eastern part of Saint-Émilion, north of Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse, benefits from a generous clay terroir, requiring patience to reach a high level of maturity. The Fleur Cardinale vineyard is in the latest-growing sector of the Grands Crus Classés. Advised by Jean-Luc Thunevin, the estate produces wines with a modern, rich and flattering style, often bordering on over-ripeness. Enlarged by 8 ha with the 2012 classification, the estate now covers 23.5 ha. Of these 8 ha from La Croix Cardinale (a brand the Decoster family still produce), 4 ha go into the Fleur Cardinale grand vin.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Attractive aromas of blueberries and blackberries with graphite, black licorice and crushed stones. Dark chocolate too. Full-bodied. The tannic structure is of impressive quality. It starts delicately and brightly, then continues to develop, gaining in power throughout the palate. Deep and dense, with a velvety core of black fruit. Really long, taut and persistent. 77% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. To be enjoyed after 2026.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

Round and opulent, with good density articulated around juicy black fruit, Fleur Cardinale stands out for its tannic structure, combined with obvious uprightness. At this stage, the wine's texture is a little stricter than usual. This 2020 gains in tension what it gives up in sensuality.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is aromatic, offering power, fine grain, power (under control), complexity and intensity. There are notes of pulpy wild blackcurrant, wild blackberry and, more lightly, small berries, combined with hints of violet, lily, small red fruit (strawberry, cherry), plum blossom, spice, graphite, discreet hints of tobacco and a subtle hint of pepper (in the background). On the palate, the wine is fruity, precise, racy and offers juiciness, tension, airy power / mastered power, a certain purity of fruit, minerality, lovely definition of fruit as well as juicy/fresh/sparkling fruit, precision, purity and greediness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of bright blackcurrant, violet plum and, more lightly, crushed wild blackberry, combined with hints of raspberry, wild berries, violet, plum blossom and hints of tonka bean, cardamom, sweet blond tobacco and discreet Bourbon vanilla bean. Good length. The tannins are precise, well-structured and mellow.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Deep in color, the wine effortlessly displays aromas of chocolate, black cherry, plum, licorice, flowers and espresso. Rich, full-bodied, lush and long, the layers of fruit express length, purity, balance and complexity, ending with a long, supple-textured finish bursting with fruit. As I wrote during the barrel tasting, this is the best Fleur Cardinale I've tasted in recent years. Drink between 2024 and 2045.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Dark purple color with violet highlights and black core. Expressive nose with aromas reminiscent of blackberries, fresh plums, juicy black cherries, with floral notes and sweet spices in the background. Subtle oak and hints of dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine is juicy, with ripe fruit, plums and dark berries, ripe tannins, a roasted aroma and elegant vanilla. A complex, rich wine with excellent length and freshness.