Fleur Cardinale
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In the mesmerising realm of Bordeaux, the Fleur Cardinale Edition Rugby Spirit Grand Cru Classe 2019 is an emblem of meticulous winemaking. Decanter sourced, the estate cultivates their grapes on clay-limestone soil; notably adding depth and complexity in the flavour profile. Renowned vinters, Dominique and Florence Decoster, have artfully crafted this spirit using a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon; displaying the estate's signature richness and finesse.
Matured for 14 months in French oak barrels culminates in layers of ripe red fruits, integrated with fragrant cedar and sweet spices, beautifully balanced with supple tannins. Each sip unfolds lavish notes of blackcurrant and blackberry, balanced with structured minerality.
The Fleur Cardinale Edition Rugby Spirit Grand Cru Classe 2019 is more than wine; it's a spirit embodying time-honoured traditions with a nod to the vibrancy of rugby, epitomising true craftsmanship and passion.
$142.00 -
Indulge in the magnificent Fleur Cardinale Edition Rugby Spirit Grand Cru Classe 2020, a prestigious red wine that perfectly blends power and elegance. This notable vintage hails from the acclaimed winery Domaine de Cardinale, located in the Saint-Émilion region of Bordeaux, France. Sustainably crafted using a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, each bottle showcases the winery's dedication to producing wines of superior quality and distinct character.
With every sip, discerning palates will savour the deeply layered notes of ripe blackberries, red currants, and subtle earthy undertones. Matured in oak barrels, the Fleur Cardinale Edition Rugby Spirit Grand Cru Classe 2020 encapsulates a refined complexity and velvety texture, offering wine connoisseurs an exquisite drinking experience that impresses from the first taste to the lingering finish. Unearth the rich heritage of Bordeaux and relish the culinary artistry captured in each bottle of this outstanding Grand Cru Classe.
$153.00 -
Back with a magnificent vintage, the Fleur Cardinale Edition Rugby Spirit Grand Cru Classe 2021 embodies the epitome of true Bordeaux wines with its seductive, intense aromatic grandeur. Produced in the renowned Saint-Émilion region, this exquisite offering is a testament to the meticulous viticulture and traditional vinification techniques employed by Château Fleur Cardinale vineyard. Adorned by rugby-inspired packaging, it's a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French oak barrels, it exhibits a delicate expression of dark fruit with nuanced notes of spices and toast. With its robust structure and deep, luscious palate, the Fleur Cardinale Edition Rugby Spirit Grand Cru Classe 2021 is both compelling in its youth and eminently age-worthy. An exceptional wine that divulges the vineyard's distinct terroir, it invites connoisseurs to savour an unerring luxuriance of Bordeaux winemaking.
$171.00 -
(12x75cl) 2005Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2005 Fleur Cardinale is packed with succulent red cherry, red plum, mint, blood orange, mocha and espresso. Sumptuous and bold, to the core, Fleur Cardinale is wonderfully immediate. Time in the glass really lets the wine shine. This is a rich, concentrated wine with a lot of oak, but one of the very best wines made in this style. It's a terrific showing from the Decoster family.$762.00 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-92)
Good bright ruby-red. Sexy nose offers black cherry, blackberry and a gamey nuance. Sweet and juicy, with an attractive layered texture and very good definition to the flavors of cherry, mocha and leather. Cooling acids contribute to the impression of shape and structure. Finishes juicy and long, if a bit youthfully brutal today. (A second sample was more pliant in the middle palate, and broader and sweeter on the back end.) This high-altitude, limestone-rich site, always picked late, is exactly the type of property that was able to take advantage of the favorable September and October weather in 2007.$513.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
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.$1,080.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2014 Fleur Cardinale is a dark, sumptuous wine. Dark cherry, plum, rose petal, licorice and sweet spices are all pushed forward. Extravagantly ripe and flamboyant, the 2014 hits all the right notes. As always, Fleur Cardinale shows the more overt, opulent side of Saint-Émilion, and yet all the elements are beautifully balanced. Tasted two times.$235.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (94)
The 2015 Château Fleur Cardinale is beauty in the vintage and checks in as a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up all in new oak. Offering sensational notes of black cherries and currant fruits, toasty oak, graphite, and licorice, it's medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and gorgeously pure and elegant on the palate. It has fine tannin emerging on the finish and is made in a straight, structured, classic style. Give bottles a year to two and it should drink beautifully over the following 15+. I was able to taste this wine three separate times and, surprisingly, it showed best from a bottle purchased here in the US. It has the purity of fruit that's the hallmark of the vintage and is a gem readers should seek out. This wine is an exclusive of American Jeffrey Davies.$137.00 -
(2x75cl) 2015Jeb Dunnuck (94)
The 2015 Château Fleur Cardinale is beauty in the vintage and checks in as a blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up all in new oak. Offering sensational notes of black cherries and currant fruits, toasty oak, graphite, and licorice, it's medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and gorgeously pure and elegant on the palate. It has fine tannin emerging on the finish and is made in a straight, structured, classic style. Give bottles a year to two and it should drink beautifully over the following 15+. I was able to taste this wine three separate times and, surprisingly, it showed best from a bottle purchased here in the US. It has the purity of fruit that's the hallmark of the vintage and is a gem readers should seek out. This wine is an exclusive of American Jeffrey Davies.$154.00 -
(6x75cl) 2016James Suckling (94-95)
A dense and layered red with blackberry and blueberry character. Hints of stones and minerals. Full body and chewy tannins. Serious potential.$347.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94-97)
The 2017 Fleur Cardinale is extraordinary. Sumptuous and explosive, rich, deep, head spinning endowed with magnificent intensity. A rush of red cherry, raspberry, leather and floral notes lift from the glass. Even with all of its richness, the 2017 possesses remarkable freshness and energy. Sadly, frost lowered production from 60-70,000 bottles to what will be around 1,000 magnums. Tasted two times.$242.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
This is really linear and tight for this winery and shows seriousness and polish. Medium-to full-bodied and a tight, compact palate. Very fresh and long, too. I can see a change to more linear and precise wines here.$141.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
This is really linear and tight for this winery and shows seriousness and polish. Medium-to full-bodied and a tight, compact palate. Very fresh and long, too. I can see a change to more linear and precise wines here.$245.00 -
James Suckling (94-95)
This is really linear and tight for this winery and shows seriousness and polish. Medium-to full-bodied and a tight, compact palate. Very fresh and long, too. I can see a change to more linear and precise wines here.$422.00 -
(6x150cl) 2018James Suckling (94-95)
This is really linear and tight for this winery and shows seriousness and polish. Medium-to full-bodied and a tight, compact palate. Very fresh and long, too. I can see a change to more linear and precise wines here.$453.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018James Suckling (94-95)
This is really linear and tight for this winery and shows seriousness and polish. Medium-to full-bodied and a tight, compact palate. Very fresh and long, too. I can see a change to more linear and precise wines here.$343.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
This is a wine that has a broad brush of tannins that give energy and subtle texture to the palate. Beautiful blue fruit and terracotta. Really fine-grained tannins. Beautiful, sweet fruit at the finish. One of the best I have had from here. Really want to drink it. 76% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 4% cabernet sauvignon.$429.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
This is a wine that has a broad brush of tannins that give energy and subtle texture to the palate. Beautiful blue fruit and terracotta. Really fine-grained tannins. Beautiful, sweet fruit at the finish. One of the best I have had from here. Really want to drink it. 76% merlot, 20% cabernet franc and 4% cabernet sauvignon.$294.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Vivid and lively with blackberries, earth and some flowers. It’s full and layered with tannins that spread across the palate. Broader form to this young Bordeaux. Lots of tannins at the end.$657.00 -
(1x150cl) 2020James Suckling (95-96)
Vivid and lively with blackberries, earth and some flowers. It’s full and layered with tannins that spread across the palate. Broader form to this young Bordeaux. Lots of tannins at the end.$163.00 -
(1x75cl) 2020James Suckling (95-96)
Vivid and lively with blackberries, earth and some flowers. It’s full and layered with tannins that spread across the palate. Broader form to this young Bordeaux. Lots of tannins at the end.$102.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Vivid and lively with blackberries, earth and some flowers. It’s full and layered with tannins that spread across the palate. Broader form to this young Bordeaux. Lots of tannins at the end.$284.00 -
(3x75cl) 2020James Suckling (95-96)
Vivid and lively with blackberries, earth and some flowers. It’s full and layered with tannins that spread across the palate. Broader form to this young Bordeaux. Lots of tannins at the end.$151.00 -
James Suckling (95-96)
Vivid and lively with blackberries, earth and some flowers. It’s full and layered with tannins that spread across the palate. Broader form to this young Bordeaux. Lots of tannins at the end.$259.00 -
Decanter (94)
Intensely perfumed on the nose, so expressive and aromatic with dark chocolate and blackcurrant liqueur aspects. Juicy, fresh, playful, lifted and upfront - this has a lot going on. It's lightly framed with a lifted nature on the palate, the flavours all vertical and expansive but not heavy. It's a delicate style in terms of structure but the flavours are persistent and really fill the mouth with a brightness as well as minty, chocolate, liquorice fresh tannins. I love this one - a real success of the vintage. Usually 70-75% Merlot, so this is a new Fleur Cardinale, the' kind of blend we'd like to have in the future' says Ludovic and Caroline Decoster, with increased plantings of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon taking place at the estate. Consultants Jean Philippe Fort - Michel Rolland Laboratoire. First year of conversion to organic, 2021 saw a loss of 50% production - 20% to frost and 30% to mildew. A fine effort.$314.00 -
(1x75cl) 2021Decanter (94)
Intensely perfumed on the nose, so expressive and aromatic with dark chocolate and blackcurrant liqueur aspects. Juicy, fresh, playful, lifted and upfront - this has a lot going on. It's lightly framed with a lifted nature on the palate, the flavours all vertical and expansive but not heavy. It's a delicate style in terms of structure but the flavours are persistent and really fill the mouth with a brightness as well as minty, chocolate, liquorice fresh tannins. I love this one - a real success of the vintage. Usually 70-75% Merlot, so this is a new Fleur Cardinale, the' kind of blend we'd like to have in the future' says Ludovic and Caroline Decoster, with increased plantings of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon taking place at the estate. Consultants Jean Philippe Fort - Michel Rolland Laboratoire. First year of conversion to organic, 2021 saw a loss of 50% production - 20% to frost and 30% to mildew. A fine effort.$62.00 -
Decanter (94)
Intensely perfumed on the nose, so expressive and aromatic with dark chocolate and blackcurrant liqueur aspects. Juicy, fresh, playful, lifted and upfront - this has a lot going on. It's lightly framed with a lifted nature on the palate, the flavours all vertical and expansive but not heavy. It's a delicate style in terms of structure but the flavours are persistent and really fill the mouth with a brightness as well as minty, chocolate, liquorice fresh tannins. I love this one - a real success of the vintage. Usually 70-75% Merlot, so this is a new Fleur Cardinale, the' kind of blend we'd like to have in the future' says Ludovic and Caroline Decoster, with increased plantings of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon taking place at the estate. Consultants Jean Philippe Fort - Michel Rolland Laboratoire. First year of conversion to organic, 2021 saw a loss of 50% production - 20% to frost and 30% to mildew. A fine effort.$218.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
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.$250.00 -
Intuition de Fleur Cardinale 2020 captivates with its exquisite balance and depth, a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. Hailing from the esteemed Pauillac appellation in Bordeaux, this vintage benefits from the region’s renowned gravelly soils and ideal climate. Crafted by the esteemed Domaine Intuition de Fleur, known for their passion and precision, the Cardinale 2020 is a blend predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo a traditional fermentation process in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by ageing for 18 months in French oak barrels, imparting subtle vanilla and spice nuances. On the palate, it reveals rich dark fruit flavours, complemented by elegant tannins and a lingering finish. Perfectly suited to mature cheeses or fine red meats, Intuition de Fleur Cardinale 2020 exemplifies sophistication and the pinnacle of Bordeaux winemaking excellence.
$261.00
