Fleur Cardinale - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022

Alexandre Ma

94

par Alexandre Ma le 10/03/2025

The 2022 vintage of Château Fleur Cardinale embodies a combination of plumpness and elegance. The distinct aromas of dark plums and blackberries, along with meticulously crafted baking spices such as star anise and cumin, are intoxicating. Unlike its usual robust structure, this vintage reveals a delicate and sweet demeanor upon the first sip. The high proportion of clay-limestone soil provides firm tannins that gradually emerge on the finish, making it an excellent wine that is infectiously appealing whether young or aged.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95

par Jeff Leve le 04/03/2025

Fleur Cardinale, Château

Jeb DUNNUCK

96

par Jeb Dunnuck le 28/02/2025

The 2022 Château Fleur Cardinale is a blend of 78% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, vinified with a cold pre-fermentation maceration and raised for 12-14 months in 72% new French oak, 18% one-year-old barrels, 7% large foudres, and 3% amphora. It's a full-bodied, layered Saint-Émilion exhibiting dark berries, graphite, crushed stone, and truffly earth-like nuances on the nose. This ripe, yet flawlessly balanced Saint-Emilion has moderate acidity, silky tannins, and a seamless, polished texture. A slightly modern-styled expression, it’s nevertheless lush, opulent, and utterly compelling, showing both depth and finesse.

Yvesbeck.wine

95

par Yves Beck le 25/02/2025

Fleur Cardinale se révèle avec maturité et fraîcheur grâce à des notes de baies noires mûres couplées à des nuances de menthe ainsi qu'une touche crayeuse. L'attaque crémeuse annonce un vin dense et harmonieux. Ses tannins suaves assurent les côtés amples et veloutés tout en assurant l'avenir communément avec une tension structurante. Un vin qui souligne l'évolution du cru amorcée par Ludovic Decoster. Que de perspectives réjouissantes ! 2026-2042 95/100

Vinous

92

par Neal Martin le 12/02/2025

The 2022 Fleur Cardinale has a refined bouquet with perfumed red berry fruit, licorice and light espresso scents unfolding on the nose. It has fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and silky smooth with pliant tannins, though you could argue that it needs more grip on the finish. That said, it slips down the throat with ease.

Jamessuckling.com

95

par James Suckling le 03/02/2025

Spiced cherries, cedar, white pepper and dark mushrooms on the nose. Almost full-bodied on the palate, with ripe, dusty, caressing tannins that are evenly packed. Juicy, long and complete. Really well balanced and already appealing, but better after 2026.

Vinous

95

par Antonio Galloni le 28/01/2025

The 2022 Fleur Cardinale is pure and total sensuality. Silky and nicely layered, this medium-bodied Saint-Émilion is a delight. Elegant tannins complement a core of dark-toned fruit. Lavender, espresso, licorice, dried herbs and menthol lead into the long, sustained finish.

Decanter.com

94

par Georgina Hindle le 25/05/2023

Full and concentrated in the mouth, beautifully intense blackcurrant and black cherry fruit with quite impressive and imposing tannins that coat the mouth though with cool blue fruits and wet stones giving freshness and minerality. Nie sense of style, a little compact right now, but there's a juicy centre and the tannins have a lovely texture. Will be nicely filling and enjoyable when ready, still with clean edges and very precise sculpting. Harvest 19-30 September. Yield of 38hl/ha. 3.68pH. Ageing for 12-14 months in French oak, 72% new.

Alexandre Ma

93-94

par Alexandre Ma le 17/05/2023

The 2022 vintage of Château Fleur Cardinale embodies a combination of plumpness and elegance. The distinct aromas of dark plums and blackberries, along with meticulously crafted baking spices such as star anise and cumin, are intoxicating. Unlike its usual robust structure, this vintage reveals a delicate and sweet demeanor upon the first sip. The high proportion of clay-limestone soil provides firm tannins that gradually emerge on the finish, making it an excellent wine that is infectiously appealing whether young or aged.

Vinous

90-92

par Neal Martin le 17/05/2023

The 2022 Fleur Cardinale has an opulent bouquet with kirsch, blackcurrant and cedar scents. Blue fruit emerges with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet, slightly candied entry, dry tannins and an earthy finish. Like some other Saint-Émilion wines this year, it needs more brightness and, perhaps perversely, is missing the charm of the previous vintage.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

94

par Jane Anson le 16/05/2023

These guys know how to combine intensity and lift, and here they capture the exuberance and exoticism of the spice and fruit character of 2022 wiyhout going overboard. This is big but has enjoyable floral character and chalky tannins, needs some time in bottle to soften, but there is juice and punch.

The Wine Independent

93-95

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 15/05/2023

The 2022 Fleur Cardinale is a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple in color, it gallops out with energetic notes of stewed black plums, kirsch, and blackberry pie, followed by wafts of violets, dark chocolate, and star anise. The full-bodied palate is concentrated, packed with black fruit preserves, and framed by ripe, rounded tannins, finishing long and with just enough freshness.

Yvesbeck.wine

94-95

par Yves Beck le 10/05/2023

Complexe et de bonne intensité, le bouquet de Fleur Cardinale révèle des nuances de baies noires bien mûres. Bonne densité en bouche où le vin dispose de tannins aux grains fins, parfaitement intégrés, en phase avec la fraîcheur et le tempérament de la structure acide. Fleur Cardinale gagne en identité, et l'on ressent bien que le vin est encadré, bien plus linéaire qu'à l'accoutumée. Ainsi, les ambitiions sont de plus en plus précises, clairvoyantes. Un vin compact, pertinent, epxressif et conquérant !

Bettane & Desseauve

95-96

par Bettane & Desseauve le 10/05/2023

Tannin soyeux, pulpeux et juteux avec une suite admirable et une finale enlevée qui balaie tout sur son passage.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94-96

par Jeb Dunnuck le 10/05/2023

One of the finest vintages to date for this estate, possibly eclipsing the 2016, the 2022 Château Fleur Cardinale offers a medium to full-bodied, seamless, incredibly elegant and balanced profile that brings beautiful richness in its ripe black raspberry and cassis fruits as well as some spicy, floral, and herbal nuances. Balanced and nicely concentrated, with ripe tannins, it does everything right in the vintage. (Tasted two times.)

Vinous

90-92

par Antonio Galloni le 09/05/2023

The 2022 Fleur Cardinale is soft, open and forthcoming. Dark fruit, chocolate, sweet spice, leather and licorice all open nicely. There's good depth but less in the way of energy or excitement. All the elements are very well balanced. Perhaps I caught this on a quiet day. Tasted two times. Drinking window : 2027-2037

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96

par Jeff Leve le 05/05/2023

Dark in color, the wine is rich, concentrated, dense, lush, and packed with toasty oak, black plums, licorice, and espresso. Sweet, long, and round, with a chocolate covered black cherry filled finish. The blend is 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. All that extra Cabernet really makes a difference adding more freshness, complexity, and individuality. Drink from 2025-2042.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96

par James Suckling le 19/04/2023

Plenty of ripe berry and currant character with some freshly cut black cherries. Hints of chocolate. Medium body with firm tannins and a flavorful finish. Yet all in reserve. Crunchy.