Château Fleur Cardinale Saint-Émilion 2020 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

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.

Decanter

About 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 like the detail and precision of the elements. It is elegant and well-made, dark and brooding, concentrated and ripe, with notes of licorice and clove that reveal the oak, but there is refinement in the texture and overall weight. It is broad-shouldered but has a charming core. It is clean and confident. It is powerful, with layers of flavors and textures, but structured and very well presented. Impressive. 2024-2036

Guide Hachette des vins

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

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.

James Suckling

About wine:

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

Terre de Vins

About wine:

With its round, opulent texture, reflecting good density centered around juicy black fruit, Fleur Cardinale stands out for its tannic structure, which combines with obvious integrity. At this stage, the wine's texture is a little more austere than usual. This 2020 gains in tension what it loses in sensuality.

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The nose is aromatic and powerful, with a lovely finesse of grain, controlled power, complexity, and intensity. There are notes of pulpy wild blackcurrant, wild blackberry and, more subtly, small berries combined with hints of violet, lily, small red fruits (strawberry, cherry) and touches of plum blossom, spices, graphite, discreet hints of tobacco and a subtle hint of pepper (in the background). The palate is fruity, precise and accurate, racy and offers juiciness, tension, airy power/controlled power, a certain purity of fruit, minerality, a nice definition of the fruit as well as juicy/fresh/bright fruit, precision, purity and deliciousness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of bright blackcurrant, violet plum and, more subtly, crushed wild blackberry, combined with hints of raspberry, wild berries, violet, plum blossom, as well as hints of tonka bean, cardamom, sweet blond tobacco and subtle hints of Bourbon vanilla pod. Good length. The tannins are precise, structured, well-integrated, and offer a smooth texture.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About 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 finish that is supple and bursting with fruit. As I wrote during the barrel tasting, this is the best Fleur Cardinale I have tasted in several years. Drink between 2024 and 2045.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About wine:

Deep purple color with violet highlights and a 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 delicate notes of dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine is juicy, with ripe fruit, plums and black berries, ripe tannins, a roasted aroma and elegant vanilla. A complex and rich wine with excellent length and freshness.