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
"From vines located right next to Fleur Cardinale, the 2018 Château Croix Cardinale reveals a deep purple color and medium-bodied to full-bodied notes of spicy plums, graphite, licorice, and earth. It is a ripe and sexy wine with lots of delicate tannins, beautiful texture, and great length on the finish. It is very much in the style of a ripe but pure vintage. " (Jeb Dunnuck 2019) - Delivery in wooden crates for all orders 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 black fruits, earthy notes, and licorice.
Mouth
Medium-bodied with a creamy texture, supple tannins, texture, and good length.
Serve
At 17-18°C
Open
1 hour before
Drink from
2021
Drink before
2035
Production
25,000 bottles
Food and wine pairings
Enjoy with pork tenderloin or leg of lamb.
Bettane & Desseauve
3-star rating (High-quality production, serving 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 have a rare generosity, even in average vintages, and have gained finesse in their tannin structure. It is one of Saint-Émilion's sure values, and the new winery is already delivering greater precision and purity. What progress has been made and what efforts have been made! This cru is on its way to the top.
Guide Hachette des vins
Rated estate (2022 guide) Award-winning wines (This producer's wines are regularly recognized by the guide)
About the estate:
In 2001, Dominique and Florence Decoster acquired Ch. Fleur Cardinale, a 23.5-hectare estate located on one of the highest points of the AOC, east of Saint-Émilion. Their investments quickly bore fruit: the estate, which has been steadily improving, entered the "classified" circle in 2006, a classification that was confirmed in 2012. The property expanded by 4 hectares in 2011 with the purchase of the neighboring Croix Cardinale vineyard. Ludovic Decoster joined the property in 2015 and holds the position of operations manager.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated estate (2022 guide) Winemaker of the vintage
About the estate:
The Decoster family (originally from Limoges porcelain and Haviland) spares no effort in making this vintage one of the appellation's sure values. This beautiful estate, located in the eastern part of Saint-Émilion, north of Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse, benefits from generous clay soil, requiring patience to achieve a high level of maturity. The Fleur Cardinale vineyard is in the latest-ripening 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. Expanded by 8 hectares with the 2012 classification, the property now covers 23.5 hectares. Of these 8 hectares from La Croix Cardinale (a brand still produced by the Decosters), 4 hectares are used for Fleur Cardinale's grand vin.
Wine Spectator
Wine rated (2021 guide) 92/100 (Exceptional wine)
About wine:
The wine glides seductively, with flavors of crushed plum, warm raspberry compote, and blackcurrant paste that have a subtle energy. Notes of black tar, burnt alder, and savory underscore the finish. Enjoy 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 wine:
From vineyards located right next to Fleur Cardinale, Château Croix Cardinale 2018 reveals a deep purple color and medium-bodied to full-bodied notes of spicy plums, graphite, licorice, and earth. It is a ripe and sexy wine with lots of delicate tannins, beautiful texture, and a long finish. It is very much in the style of the ripe but pure vintage.
Vert de Vin
Wine rated (2020 guide) 91-92/100 (Jonathan Choukroun Chicheportiche)
About wine:
The nose is fruity, elegant, and offers a little depth as well as a very fine concentration. There are notes of pulpy blackcurrant, bright blue berries and, more subtly, wild black berries, combined with hints of lily, violet, very discreet touches of dry leaves/herbs, a very subtle hint of cardamom and an imperceptible hint of fresh tobacco. The palate is balanced and fruity, offering lovely juicy, fresh, vibrant fruit, structure, a little power, and juiciness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of bright blackcurrant, bright/fresh small blue berries, fresh boysenberry combined with hints of fresh purple plum, lily and subtle hints of oak/dry oak leaf. The tannins are well-integrated and provide structure. A subtle hint of salinity on the finish adds appeal. A very subtle hint of licorice root on the finish.
Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego
Wine rated (2019 guide) 95/100
About wine:
The color of Château Croix Cardinale 2018 is deep purple red with a violet hue 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 convincing length.
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