Château Croix Cardinale 2023

The 2023 vintage of Croix Cardinale presents an unprecedented sense of gentleness. Even in its youth, I can scarcely detect any trace of heavy oak barrels. The wine’s tannins are both abundant and gentle, enveloped by a fuzzy floral aura. Its savory mineral essence is impeccably expressed, not only highlighting the terroir characteristics of clay-limestone soils but also deftly enhancing the length of its finish. Despite the 2021 vintage’s average yield being a mere 15hl/ha, it is precisely this rigorous selection process that defines the quality of Croix Cardinale.

Ruby. Blackberries, dark fruits, anise, liquorice, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, detailed, energetic, saline, nuanced and long. Lovely.

Supple and alive, generous on the palate, juicy and bright but clearly concentrated and ripe with fleshy tannins that fill the mouth and give a wide expression. Chunky almost, but it finishes clean, minty and lifted giving finesse. On the bolder spectrum, a lot going on here. Lots of herbal and spiced flavours with dark fruits and licks of liquorice. Structured and firm. A touch of juiciness adds a needed bounce.

Deep ruby colour, opaque core, purple reflections. Delicate roasted aromas, black forest berries, dark cherries, a hint of ripe cherries, spicy bouquet. Dark berries, subtle fruit, vivid tannins, dark nougat in the finish, a full-bodied food wine.

This is smooth and supple on the palate, with medium body and good concentration of fruit. Flavorful with delicious fruit. Lightly chewy at the end.
Avril 2024

« The Decoster family own this 5.4ha estate that has seen plenty of investment over the past few years. Expect tannic grip here, with fresh acidities that are mouth watering from the opening beats, with red fruit charm. An enjoyable wine that will not have to be held for too long before opening – think two or three years maximum. Has grip and lift, although once again small volumes at 15hl/h after frost – this is a cool sector of St Emilion, helping it keep these gorgeous nuanced flavours, but exposing it to frost risk. 28% new oak for ageing.”

Couleur noire. Nez intense, fruité, mûr et subtil. Nuances de truffe et de réglisse noire. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, très savoureux au milieu, avec une texture raffinée et un toucher caressant, le vin évolue sur des arômes de fruits noirs, sur une belle longueur à la tannicité grasse. C'est incrachable. Une démarche audacieuse, prometteuse et très réussie.

The Grand Vin 2023 Château Croix Cardinale checks in as 52% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon raised in a mix of mostly larger barrels, 28% being new. A richer, concentrated 2023, it has rocking notes of ripe red and black fruits, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and crushed stone. This carries to medium to full-bodied, ripe, round, layered, nicely textured red with beautiful tannins and a great finish.

Joli nez graphite, profond, frais et qui offre un joli grain racé (typé calcaire). On y retrouve des notes de violette, de cassis sauvage mût/frais et plus légèrement de bleuet associés à des touches de petites baies noires denses (mais fraiches), de lys ainsi qu’à des pointes de poivre, à une fine pointe de tabac et à une imperceptible pointe de toasté. La bouche est fruitée, équilibrée et offre de la fraicheur, de la jutosité, de la brillance, de l’éclat, une jolie définition ainsi qu’un joli côté ciselé. En bouche ce vin exprime des notes de mûre pulpeuse/juteuse, de cassis brillant et plus légèrement de bleuet associes à des touches de fruits brillants, à des pointes de chocolat, de toasté ainsi qu’à une discrète pointe d’amande toastée. Jolie mâche et énergie. Les tannins sont savoureux, frais et très discrètement iodés/salins. Jolie empreinte calcaire.

The 2023 Croix Cardinale is dark, vibrant and super-expressive. Inky dark fruit, mocha, lavender and mocha are nicely amplified. There's plent of energy and freshness to balance things out. This is very nicely done and also quite promising.

The 2023 Croix Cardinale has an attractive nose with black cherries, wild strawberries, leather and light tobacco scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and superb balance. It's notably pure, with an elegant finish and just the right amount of sapidity. This should drink well for a decade or more. Classy.

Seit 2023 aus südlich ausgerichteten Lagen mit Kalkböden; trotz junger Reben mit Tiefgang und Noblesse, Schwarze Johannisbeere, Veilchen; gradlinig, strukturiert, energetisch, kalkiges Tannin, rotfruchtiges Finale. Ein Wein, den man die nächsten Jahre im Auge behalten sollte.

Le bouquet de Croix Cardinale est plein de finesse. Il se révèle subtilement à travers des nuances de sureau et une touche crayeuse en fond. Le vin est maigre et linéaire, soyeux et soutenu par une structure qui lui confère fraîcheur et tempérament. Un vin délicieux ! 2027-2036