In 2024, Château Fleur Cardinale and Château Croix Cardinale were brought together under the name La Maison Cardinale

Château Croix Cardinale 2012 - Château Fleur Cardinale
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Château Croix Cardinale 2012

#Minerality #RedBerries

Verre de Château Croix Cardinale - © C. Decoster, Château Fleur Cardinale

Identity

Blend:

  • 70% Merlot
  • 15% Cabernet Franc
  • 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcoholic degree: 13.5°

Une feuille par transparence - © C. Decoster, Château Fleur Cardinale

Weather conditions

The beginning of the year was particularly rainy.

A dry summer then extended from mid-July to the end of September, making it possible to catch up and optimize the maturities of the three grape varieties.

It is a year when Merlot is the most successful grape, thanks to a maturity that began early.

Vendanges au Château Croix Cardinale - © C. Decoster, Château Fleur Cardinale

Harvest

  • 22 October > 3 November 2012
  • Yields: 35 hl / ha
  • Production: 13 500 bottles

Tasting suggestions

  • Optimal tasting period: 2015 – 2024.
  • Today: place the wine one hour in a carafe before the tasting, or keep it in the cellar.
  • Serving temperature : 17-18°C.
Hashtag Croix Cardinale - © C. Decoster, Château Fleur Cardinale

Hashtags of the vintage

#redberries #spices #minerality #licorice #pure #density

Château Croix Cardinale en musique - © C. Decoster, Château Fleur Cardinale

Soundtrack

Enjoy a glass of Château Croix Cardinale 2012 while listening to the tune Sugar by Maroon 5.

Reviews for this vintage

B MY BORDEAUX, CHRISTER BYKLUM

88
Ruby. Dark fruits, spices, rich and intense nose, ripe. Fresh acidity, ripe. Tannins, ripe, fruity, dark berries, spices, good length. November 2015

FALSTAFF

92
Dunkles Rubingranat. Schöne Nase mit kühler Sauerkirschfrucht. Auch am Gaumen elegante, kühle Frucht mit feiner Süße. Sehr schöne seidige Tannine. Langer, deutlicher Abgang. Mei 2013Grenat rubis foncé. Beau nez avec des fruits frais de cerise acidulée. Aussi en bouche, élégant, fruits frais avec une belle douceur. Très beaux tanins soyeux. Long, fini pur

LE FIGARO VINS, BERNARD BURTSCHY

15
Appartenant à la famille Decoster (La Fleur Cardinale), Croix Cardinale est un vin de bonne facture avec de la densité, des tannins assez fermes et une bonne longueur.

JEAN-MARC QUARIN

14,75
Couleur pourpre. Nez fruité. Bouche fruitée, juteuse et savoureuse, de corps et de longueur moyens.

JAMES SUCKLING

90
This is a small vineyard next door to Fleur Cardinale and from the same owners. Full body, fine tannins and a chocolate and nut character. Some cedar, too. Better in 2017. February 20115

THE WINE ADVOCATE, ROBERT PARKER

89-92
April 2013Finishing with 13.5% alcohol, it is a stylish St.-Emilion displaying a bouquet of red and black currants, toast, damp forest floor and spice box. Medium-bodied, rich and elegant with good weight and depth as well as slightly elevated tannins, it will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age when released, and should drink well for 15 years. Another tiny estate owned by the Decoster family, this 10-acre property produced yields of 35 hectoliters per hectare and the 2012's final blend was 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

90
April 2015Another brilliant wine from the Decoster family, this blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon has loads of crushed rock minerality, red and black fruit, medium body and a long, pure finish. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. The estate has 10 acres of vineyard.

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER, JEFF LEVE

90
May 2015This Merlot dominated wine delivers a medium bodied blast of chocolate covered cherry, licorice and cocoa with soft, round textures in a forward style. This is already drinking well.

WINE SPECTATOR, JAMES MOLESWORTH

88
The charcoal-studded grip works well with the dark fig, black currant and licorice flavors, while a ganache hint underscores the finish. Decidedly dark in profile, but well-defined, with a flash of singed bay giving the finish a pleasant contrast. Best from 2016 through 2022. 1,125 cases made. 2015

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