Sourced largely from dedicated parcels and younger vines in a frost-challenged year, it opens with red currant, graphite, and cedar, layered with subtle floral and savory notes. The palate is full bodied and precise, with polished tannins, fresh acidity, and restrained oak.
More akin to Clos du Marquis to Leoville Las Cases in spirit than declassified Grand Vin, this is a well priced Cuvée from Ducru. — 5 months ago
Merlot dominates this blend but there is some Cabernet Sauvignon and some Cabernet Franc blended in. Medium ruby color with a slight clear meniscus. Fruit forward aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, dark plum, baking spices and cedar. Medium-plus finish. Medium body and very silky tannins. Well balanced/layered acidity and a very silky texture. A bit more austere than a traditional Medoc red blend. At peak. — 8 months ago
One of the better 2nd’s I’ve had. Slightly fruit forward in a drink now style. Soft tannins and good acidity for that easy drinking brightness. — 2 months ago
2014 prachtig geouderd met frambois, blauwe bes, bosgrond, champignons, tabak, drop, zoethout, witte paper, thijm en eiken. Mooie medium plus body. — 6 months ago
Paris 2025.. brought back. — 9 months ago
Stefan Dolhain
2022 vintage. The owners of Fleur Cardinale bought the neighbouring estate Croix Cardinale in 2011. The 4 hectares vineyard is planted with 30% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. For this vintage the blend is 68% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Expectations were high, as I loved the second wine of Fleur Cardinale, Intuition 2020, tasted twice recently. And I am definitely not disappointed. This 2022 Croix Cardinale is some sexy juice! Black cherries, raspberries and strawberries, mixed with very subtle spices and flowers. Perfectly balanced with an exemplary purity of fruit, embedded in a structure of velvety tannins and fresh acidity. If you have this in your cellar, and you are planning to let it age for a few years, I'd suggest you hide it, because it is very hard to resist. Abv. 13,5%. — 2 months ago