Stefan Dolhain

9.3

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

Ming L

9.2

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

Alexandre Pagliano

9.0

We took no notes. Very modern but not overdone, we actually liked it a lot. — 8 months ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

Atherton Wine Imports 2026 tasting at République, Los Angeles. 2022 vintage. Better, longer finish than the 2021 version. Dark plum and cassis ruling the roost here. 3.18.26. — 2 months ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.3

one of the best seconds….👌🏼 — 5 months ago

Dave

9.0

My goodness, this is very delicious. 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah. Each grape pulls its weight in this blend, to great effect. Dark, brooding fruit with smoke and heat, but soft in the mouth. A short finish, maybe a little flabby, but it just tastes so good. I'm enjoying it with a hedonistic little charcuterie for one, and Ken Burns' country music documentary. — 7 months ago

Ed Chin

9.2

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

Stefan Dolhain

9.2

2022 vintage. The second wine of Cru Classé Montlabert. — 3 months ago

Dave

9.1

Delectable, this is Chateau Saint-Roch's Kerbuccio grenache blend. Nice wine that's full bodied and heavy. Good for this evening's cool temps. Plum, blueberry, tobacco, spice. Soft and short finish, but very enjoyable. I had the cheaper counterpart the other night, and this one scores a point higher. Also 65% Grenache 35% Syrah.
Listening to Local H — 7 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

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