Chuck Hayward, JJ Buckley, April 2011

Vineyards are planted to 70% merlot, 15% cabernet franc, 15% cabernet sauvignon. 18 hectare vineyard with average vine age of 35 years, planted on rich clay atop limestone (next to Valandraud and Rol Valentin). Yields were a meager 36 hls/ha. Hand harvested and twice table sorted. No pumping of the harvest, the must, or the wine. About 13 months in 100% new oak. The bouquet offers a mélange of expressive and complex aromas that are pure and enticing, as cassis and cherry compote mingle with powerful mint nuances that lead into multi-layered fruit expressions on the palate. Although richly textured and almost approaching viscous, there is no sense of overripe fruit that can be found in other examples from the appellation, and silky tannins finish the thrilling experience. A terrific wine. Hard to resist now, expect increasing complexity until maturity arrives over the next twenty years. Jean-Philippe Fort (Rolland) consults as does neighbor Jean-Luc Thunevin.

93 points,

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, February 2013

Wow. This shows an impressive richness on the nose of cappuccino, ripe berries and dried flowers. Full body with velvety tannins and a fine finish. Rich and delicious. Harmonious and luscious. So delicious now but better in 2017.

Jancis Robinson, April 2011

Sweet and rich and round and hugely flattering. This wine has managed to keep the vitality in without excessive dry tannin. Really well done! Lovely finish. Very distinctive. Very readable and transparent. 17 out of 20

93 -95 points,

Jeff Leve, TheWineCellarInsider.com, April 2010

From an 18 hectare, clay and limestone vineyard, located next to Valandraud and across the street from Faugeres, Florence and Dominique Decoster put a lot of effort into their 2010, starting with reducing their yields to 36 hectoliters per hectare. With its deep color, cassis, blackberry, licorice and jammy liqueur aromas exude from the glass. This full bodied wine offers layers of opulent dark fruit ending with a fresh, licorice, blackberry, dark cherry and chocolate finish. From an assemblage of 78% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot, the wine reached 14.5% alcohol. This is the best wine from the estate since the outstanding 2005. For consumers not familiar with this property, they remain one of the top Bordeaux wines combining price and quality.

95 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, March 2013

Dense ruby/purple, it tips the scales at 15% natural alcohol and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Full-bodied in texture, it offers up loads of blueberry, blackberry and raspberry fruit intermixed with some cedar, vanilla and a touch of spring flowers. Impressively built, with good acidity and light tannin, this is a superb example of wine that reaches its prime in 3 or 4 years and lasts two decades. It's right up there with their brilliant 2005. From an estate owned by Dominique and Florence Decoster, this wine has been a real treasure to follow over the last decade. Another over-achieving, brilliant effort from the Decosters, the 2010 from their 45-acre vineyard is a blend of 70% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. --Robert Parker

93 points,

Wine Spectator, March 2013

This is rich and very plush, but really pure as well, with gorgeous macerated cherry, cassis and blackberry preserves flavors gliding along, carried by remarkably polished tannins. Flecks of bergamot, blood orange and apple wood fill in on the finish, with a fine minerality buried as well. This should be lovely after some cellaring. -J.M.

About Winery

Fleur Cardinale's name comes from the names of two horses owned by the first owner of the estate.  The estate sold its fruit on the Bordeaux market, but it wasn't until 1982 that Fleur Cardinale gained its reputation for excellent winemaking.  In 2001, the Decoster family gained possession of the vineyard and began to integrate biodynamic farming techniques while continuing the traditions of the estate in their winemaking.  In 2006, Chateau Fleur Cardinale was nominated to "Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe".

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