The 2010 Fleur Cardinale Bordeaux Blend from Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France, is a remarkable red wine that has garnered high praise from multiple esteemed reviewers. With its dense ruby/purple color and robust 15% alcohol content, this wine is an impressive example of what the region has to offer.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it an excellent score of 95, noting its "loads of blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry fruit intermixed with cedar, vanilla, and a touch of spring flowers." Parker highlighted its full-bodied texture, good acidity, and light tannins, predicting that it would reach its prime in 3 to 4 years and last for two decades. He compared it favorably to the brilliant 2005 vintage, asserting that this 2010 offering is just as exceptional.
Wine Spectator also praised the wine, giving it a score of 93. They described it as "rich and very plush, but really pure as well," with flavors of "macerated cherry, cassis, and blackberry preserves" gliding along on "remarkably polished tannins." The presence of bergamot, blood orange, and apple wood on the finish, along with a fine minerality, suggests that this wine will benefit from some cellaring, with an optimal drinking window from 2015 through 2030.
James Suckling echoed these sentiments, also awarding a score of 93. He was struck by the wine’s richness on the nose, noting aromas of "cappuccino, ripe berries, and dried flowers." He described the wine as full-bodied with velvety tannins and a fine finish, calling it "rich and delicious" and "harmonious and luscious."
Jeff Leve from The Wine Cellar Insider rated it 94 and emphasized its drinkability, describing it as "lush, round, opulent, dark in color and fruit, concentrated and loaded with licorice, smoke, black cherry, and chocolate."
Decanter also gave it a score of 94, appreciating its balance and the way the rich dark fruits, such as cassis, blueberry, and blackberry, were effortlessly integrated. They noted the wine’s "black chocolate, slightly bitter edge" and traces of menthol, with Cabernets taking the lead. The small yield of 36hl/ha and the extended harvest period from October 18 to November 5 contribute to its unique profile.
Overall, the 2010 Fleur Cardinale is a well-crafted, full-bodied Bordeaux Blend that has received high acclaim for its rich flavors, balanced structure, and long-term aging potential.