Château Croix Cardinale Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018
92/100
Wine Spectator
95/100
Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego
91-93/100
Jeb Dunnuck
91-92/100
Vert de Vin
“Made from grapes grown in vineyards right next to Fleur Cardinale, the 2018 Château Croix Cardinale reveals a deep purple color along with medium- to full-bodied notes of spiced plums, graphite, licorice, and earth. It’s a ripe, sensual wine with plenty of delicate tannins, a beautiful texture, and a long finish. It is very much in the style of a ripe yet pure vintage.” (Jeb Dunnuck 2019) - Delivered in a wooden case for any order of 6 bottles of this wine (excluding “Point Relais” delivery method).
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Eye
Dark purple dress
Nose
Very fruity, almost indulgent, with very fresh dark fruit, earthy notes, and hints of licorice
Palate
Medium-bodied with a creamy mouthfeel, supple tannins, good texture, and a lovely finish
Serve
At 17-18°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink starting at
2021
Drink before
2035
Production
25,000 bottles
Food and Wine Pairings
Serve with a pork tenderloin or a leg of lamb
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated 3*Stars (A high-quality product that serves as a benchmark in its sector)
About the estate:
Florence and Dominique Decoster, their son Ludovic, and his wife Caroline have developed a passion for this 23-hectare hillside estate near the town of Castillon. The wines display a rare richness, even in average vintages, and have gained finesse in their tannic texture. It is one of Saint-Émilion’s most reliable choices, and the new winery is already yielding greater precision and purity. What remarkable progress and dedication! This estate is well on its way to the top.
Guide Hachette des vins
Rated estate (2022 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer’s wines regularly receive awards from the guide)
About the estate:
In 2001, Dominique and Florence Decoster acquired Château Fleur Cardinale, a 23.5-hectare estate located on one of the highest points of the AOC, east of Saint-Émilion. Their investments quickly paid off: the wine, which has shown steady improvement, joined the ranks of the “classified” wines in 2006, a status confirmed in 2012. The estate expanded by 4 hectares in 2011 with the acquisition of the neighboring Croix Cardinale vineyard. Ludovic Decoster joined the estate in 2015 and serves as operations manager.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated Estate (2022 Guide) Winemaker of the Year
About the estate:
The Decoster family (with roots in Limoges porcelain, Haviland) spares no effort to make this wine one of the appellation’s most reliable choices. This beautiful estate, located in the eastern part of Saint-Émilion, north of Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse, benefits from a rich clay terroir that requires patience to achieve a high level of ripeness. The Fleur Cardinale vineyard is located in the latest-ripening sector among the Grand Crus Classés. With guidance from Jean-Luc Thunevin, the estate produces wines with a modern, rich, and flattering style, often bordering on overripeness. Expanded by 8 ha following the 2012 classification, the estate now covers 23.5 ha. Of these 8 ha, which come from La Croix Cardinale (a brand the Decosters still produce), 4 ha are used to produce Fleur Cardinale’s flagship wine.
Wine Spectator
Wine rated (2021 guide) 92/100 (Exceptional wine)
About the wine:
The wine flows seductively, with flavors of crushed plum, warm raspberry compote, and blackcurrant paste that possess a subtle vibrancy. Meanwhile, notes of black tar, burnt alder, and savory highlight the finish. Best enjoyed sooner rather than later, thanks to its generous fruit. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. 1,916 cases produced, 480 cases imported. - JM
Jeb Dunnuck
Wine rated (2019 guide) 91-93/100
About the wine:
Made from grapes grown in vineyards located right next to Fleur Cardinale, the 2018 Château Croix Cardinale reveals a deep purple color along with medium- to full-bodied notes of spiced plums, graphite, licorice, and earth. It is a ripe and seductive wine with plenty of delicate tannins, a beautiful texture, and a long finish. It is very much in the style of a ripe yet pure vintage.
Vert de Vin
Wine rated (2020 guide) 91-92/100 (Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche)
About the wine:
The nose is fruity and elegant, with a touch of depth and a very subtle intensity. It features notes of juicy blackcurrant, vibrant blue berries, and, more subtly, wild black berries, combined with hints of lily and violet, very subtle hints of dry leaves and terroir, a very subtle hint of cardamom, and an imperceptible hint of fresh tobacco. The palate is balanced and fruity, offering lovely juicy, fresh, and vibrant fruit, structure, a touch of power, and juiciness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of vibrant blackcurrant, bright and fresh small blueberries, and fresh Boysenberries, combined with subtle hints of fresh purple plum, lily, and discreet notes of terroir and dry oak leaf. The tannins are well-integrated and provide structure. A subtle hint of salinity on the finish adds to the wine’s appeal. A very subtle hint of licorice root lingers on the finish.
Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego
Wine rated (2019 guide) 95/100
About the wine:
The 2018 Château Croix Cardinale has a deep purplish-red color with violet hues and a black core. Its nose is elegant, with restrained fruit and subtle notes of floral aromas and sweet spices. On the palate, the wine is well-balanced, with ripe tannins, delicate fruit, sweet spices, and a compelling finish.
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