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 display a rare richness, even in average vintages, and have gained finesse in their tannic structure. It is one of Saint-Émilion’s most reliable estates, and the new winery is already yielding greater precision and purity. What progress has been made and what efforts have been invested! This estate 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; it doesn’t reveal its full breadth yet, but I love the detail and precision of its elements. It is elegant and well-crafted, dark and brooding, concentrated and ripe, with notes of licorice and clove that hint at the oak, yet there is a refinement in its texture and overall weight. It is broad-shouldered but possesses a charming core. It is clean and confident. It is powerful, with layers of flavors and textures, yet structured and very well presented. Impressive. 2024–2036

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

In 2001, Dominique and Florence Decoster acquired Château Fleur Cardinale, a 23.5-hectare estate situated 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, entered the ranks of the “classified” wines in 2006, a classification confirmed in 2012. The estate expanded by 4 hectares in 2011 with the purchase of the neighboring La Croix Cardinale vineyard. Ludovic Decoster joined the estate in 2015 and serves as the estate manager.

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

About the estate:

The Decoster family (with roots in Limoges porcelain, specifically Haviland) spares no effort in making this estate 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 generous clay terroir that demands patience to achieve a high level of ripeness. The Fleur Cardinale vineyard is located in the latest-ripening sector of the Grand Crus Classés. Under the guidance of Jean-Luc Thunevin, the estate produces wines with a modern, rich, and flattering style, often bordering on overripeness. Expanded by 8 hectares following the 2012 classification, the estate now covers 23.5 hectares. Of these 8 hectares from La Croix Cardinale (a brand the Decosters still produce), 4 hectares contribute to the Fleur Cardinale grand vin.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Attractive aromas of blueberries and blackberries, with notes of graphite, black licorice, and crushed stone. Dark chocolate is also present. The wine is full-bodied. The tannic structure is of impressive quality. It starts off delicate and bright, then continues to develop, gaining power across the palate. Deep and dense, with a velvety core of black fruit. Truly long, taut, and persistent. 77% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Best enjoyed after 2026.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

With its round, opulent body, revealing good density centered around juicy dark fruit, Fleur Cardinale stands out for its tannic structure, which combines with a distinct sense of integrity. At this stage, the wine’s texture is slightly more austere than usual. This 2020 gains in tension what it lacks in sensuality.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is aromatic and offers power, a lovely finesse of texture, well-controlled intensity, complexity, and depth. It features notes of pulpy wild blackcurrant, wild blackberry, and, more subtly, small berries, combined with hints of violet, lily, and small red fruits (strawberry, cherry), as well as touches of plum blossom, spices, graphite, subtle hints of tobacco, and a subtle hint of pepper (in the background). The palate is fruity, precise and well-balanced, elegant, and offers juiciness, tension, an airy yet controlled power, a certain purity of fruit, minerality, a lovely definition of the fruit, as well as juicy, fresh, and vibrant fruit, precision, purity, and a delightful richness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of vibrant blackcurrant, violet plum, and, more subtly, crushed wild blackberry, combined with hints of raspberry, wild berries, violet, and plum blossom, as well as hints of tonka bean, cardamom, sweet blond tobacco, and subtle hints of Bourbon vanilla bean. Good length. The tannins are precise, structuring, well-integrated, and offer a smooth texture.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Deep in color, the wine effortlessly reveals aromas of chocolate, black cherry, plum, licorice, flowers, and espresso. Rich, full-bodied, lush, and long, the layers of fruit express depth, purity, balance, and complexity, culminating in a long finish with a supple texture and an abundance of fruit. As I wrote during the barrel tasting, this is the best Fleur Cardinale I’ve tasted in several years. Best enjoyed between 2024 and 2045.

Tastingbook - Markus Del Monego

About the wine:

Deep purple color with violet highlights and a black core. An expressive nose with aromas of blackberries, fresh plums, and juicy black cherries, with floral notes and subtle 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.