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Château Fleur Cardinale 2021

Class & Depth

Capsule de Château Fleur Cardinale - © C. Decoster, Château Fleur Cardinale

IDENTITY

Potential blend :

  • 60% Merlot
  • 30% Cabernet Franc
  • 10% Cabernet-Sauvignon

Potential alcoholic degree: 13,5°

La vigne - © C. Decoster, Château Fleur Cardinale

WEATHER CONDITIONS

If 2021 was drier than previous years, two intense climatic episodes impacted the vintage.

The first one is the April frost which mobilized our teams for 9 nights. The second is linked to the strong episodes of rain in June, with nearly 180 mm of precipitation.

The trio August / September / October was accompanied by low rainfall, allowing to harvest in optimal conditions and preserving the qualitative potential of the vintage.

Le temps des vendanges - © J. Buchholtz

HARVEST

  • from 1st to 12th October
  • Yields:  21hl/ha
  • Estimated production: 43 000 bottles of first wine – 12 000 bottles of second wine

TASTING SUGGESTIONS

The wine is still in barrel and will tell us more in the months to come…

Une bouteille de Fleur Cardinale 2015 - © C. Decoster, Château Fleur Cardinale

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

The 2021 vintage is synonymous of:

  • Class
  • Depth
  • Open minded
  • Digestibility
Vin et musique - © C. Decoster, Château Fleur Cardinale

SOUNDTRACK

The wine is still in barrel but it already reminds us of the song How You Like Me Now by The Heavy

Reviews for this vintage

ABU DUHR

**** (Exceptionnal)
Kracht en diepte, braam en framboos. (Power and depth, blackberry and raspberry.) June2022

ALEXANDRE MA

91-93
With the powerful attack of its structure, it seems to me that Fleur Cardinale 2021 has done a lot of tannins extraction. The bright side is that it has a fine tannic texture, firm but maintains a rounded and balanced mouthfeel. The richness of this wine far exceeds that of many 2021 Merlot blends. Aromas of black plum, blueberry puree, sweet spices, and the rare graphite notes of the appellation, are all perfectly reflected in the bottle. The late-ripening soil is the key to its success in 2021. May 2022

B MY BORDEAUX, CHRISTER BYKLUM

92-94
Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits, vanilla, detailed and layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, juicy and nuanced, long. April 2022

BERNARD BURTSCHY

95-96
La robe est très sombre avec de beaux arômes de myrtille, d’épices et de cuir. Le vin est dense avec un beau soyeux et un fond impressionnant, les tannins sont fins et l’ensemble est de grande longueur avec une belle fraîcheur grâce au cabernet sur calcaire. Le mildiou a conduit à 30 % de perte (rendement de 21 hl/ha). Très belle réussite. July 2022

BETTANE & DESSAUVE

93-94

DECANTER, GEORGINA HINDLE

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. May 2022

EXTRA PRIMA, THOMAS BOXBERGER

93-96
Nach dem überragenden 2020er präsentierte die hoch engagierte Familie Decoster einen kaum weniger beeindruckenden 2021er! [...] Die Farbe des Fleur Cardinale ist massiv schwarz und viskos. Sehr tiefgründig und likörig präsentiert er sich im Geruch ganz reif, sehr klar, finessenreich und mit cremiger Süße. Im Mund zeigen sich die Gerbstoffe nahezu so feinkörnig und weit verteilt wie beim großartigen 2020er, ganz verdichtet und ausgereift, mit schöner Struktur, ganz offen und differenziert, sehr tief. Ein ausgezeichneter St.-Emilion mit großer Persönlichkeit, Durchzug und viel Herzblut. July 2022

FALSTAFF, PETER MOSER

91
Dark ruby core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Fresh blackberries, hints of liquorice, fine wood spices and tangerine zest. Medium-bodied red berries and cherries on the palate, fresh, somewhat loosely knitted tannins and a lemon citrus finish. Good with food. May 2022

FORBES, TOM MULLEN

94-95
A 70/20/10 blend of Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon that ages up to 14 months in new French oak. Creamy aromas that include brownies, licorice, red cherries and black berries. A distinguished wine with firm and supple tannins, glowing acidity and a midpalate of red fruit that includes cranberries. Pair with roasted duck breast or a Moroccan tajin. June 2022

GREAT BORDEAUX WINES, IZAK LITWAR

93+
Potent, morello cherries, some dark chocolate and cocoa powder, intense, sappy, vibrant, great complexity and structure, long and persistent finish. Caroline and Ludovic Decoster deserve considerable praise for constantly improving the quality of the property. Impressive for the vintage. July 2022

INSIDE BORDEAUX, JANE ANSON

92
Bright, plump redcurrant and raspberry fruit, with the touch of glamour that Fleur Cardinale does so well. This is a sleek and well made wine that performs well within the 2021 vintage, but is not as effortless as the past few vintages have been at this exceptional, dynamic estate. May 2022

JAMES SUCKLING

93-94
A refined and linear wine with blackberry and blueberry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a racy finish. Classy. May 2022

JANCIS ROBINSON

16,5
Mouth-filling and gourmand. Plenty of substance here with textured fruit and rounded tannins. Structured and complete with the fruit already engaging. May 2022

JEAN-MARC QUARIN

92
Couleur sombre, pourpre et soutenue. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité, pur et appétent. Il offre une belle nuance d'encre et de bois à l'agitation du verre. Minutieux en entrée de bouche, parfumé au milieu, avec un joli toucher, le vin gagne une nuance plus mûre en finale, tout en fondant, délicat, juteux, sans marquer le tannin. C'est très bien construit et très bon. Assemblage : 60 % merlot, 30 % cabernet franc, 10 % cabernet sauvignon. Pour la première fois, la part du merlot diminue et celle des deux cabernets monte (70-30 versus 60-40). May 2022

JEB DUNNUCK

91-93
The 2021 Château Fleur Cardinale is terrific, and certainly an outstanding wine. Lots of ripe darker cherry and almost blue fruits give way to a medium-bodied, concentrated, balanced, textured 2021 that has a great mid-palate and ripe tannins. It offers tons of pleasure and will drink well right out of the gate. The blend is 75% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, aging in 90% new barrels, it was harvested between the 1st and 12th of October, and it hit 13.5% natural alcohol. Tasted numerous times. Mai 2022

JOURNAL D'UN PASSIONNÉ DE LA RIVE DROITE, DANIEL SÉRIOT

93-94
L'agitation laisse percevoir des arômes de cerises, de fleurs mauves et un élevage élégant en arrière plan. L'attaque est veloutée, le vin se développe dans un corps bien formé, charnu et fruité. La finale est allongée, fraîche, expressive et veloutée. May 2022

LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE

91-93
Le nez sur la réduction est assorti d’un fruit rouge mûr et acidulé. Savoureuse, d'un charme éclatant, la bouche est tendue par des tanins élancés. La belle dynamique des cabernet-sauvignon “booste” ce vin élégant qui a su tirer le meilleur parti du millésime. May 2022

LA REVUE VINICOLE INTERNATIONALE

94
Un vin élégant, avec de la fraicheur, bien équilibré avec des notes de fruits murs. May 2022

LE FIGARO

91-93
Un nez vibrant, énergique de myrtille mûre, de myrte, accompagnées d'arômes complexes d'herbes fraîchement coupées, et à la fraîcheur exquise. La bouche est plus classique, telle une scène pastorale tirée d'un roman de Flaubert, avec une matière veloutée sur des tanins précieux. Finale légèrement poudrée. Mai 2022

MARKUS DEL MONEGO, MW

93+
Intense purple colour with violet hue and black core. Opulent nose with aroma reminiscent of dark chocolate, mocha, ripe plums, blackcherries, mulberries and blackberries. On the palate well structured, rather full-bodied with very good length, juicy fruit, distinct toasting and hints of mild spices. May 2022

SCHWEIZERISCHE WEINZEITUNG, HANS MARTIN GESELLMANN

17
Kräftiges Bouquet, Heidelbeeren, schwarze Brombeeren, Bitterschokolade, zart Zimt. Gute Dichte, saftig, zart adstringierend, feine Säure, charmante dunkelbeerie Frucht, Pflaumen, zart Zwetschge im Finish, gute Länge. Strong bouquet, blueberries, blackberries, dark chocolate, delicate cinnamon. Good density, juicy, delicately astringent, fine acidity, charming dark berry fruit, plums, delicate plums in the finish, good length. June 2022

TERRE DE VINS

95
Nez pur et mûr, d'une densité maîtrisée et équilibrée. Beaucoup de distinction et d'allure dans ce 2021 gracieux et complexe. Campé sur une trame de fer et de soie, à la fois ferme et veloutée, il déroule une palette aromatique très complète, allant du fruit rouge au floral en passant par la sauge et le sureau. La longueur s'invite en prime, sur une chair appétissante et salivante. Une vraie réussite du millésime. May 2022

THE DRINK BUSINESS, COLIN HAY

91-93+
Blackberry and red cherry; grated cinnamon bark; liquorice root and grated black chocolate – just a sprinkle. Lithe and limpid and quite open-textured but this also displays good density and compactness. Linear, precise, focussed and with no evident wood, other than the trace of gentle sweet spices – all nicely incorporated. This is finely detailed, bright, energetic and luminous. Very much a success, with a lovely sense of balance; it has not been pushed too far. May 2022

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER, JEFF LEVE

92-94
Deeply colored, lush, round, opulent, and concentrated for the vintage, you find spicy, floral, black cherries, touches of chocolate, licorice, espresso and a hint of spice. Silky in the mouth, fresh and fruity, the finish is soft, supple and polished. The blend is 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. All that extra Cabernet really makes a difference adding more freshness, complexity and individuality. I hope they continue using more Cabernet here in future vintages. The harvest took place October 1 - 12. This is the first vintage from 100% organic farming. May 2022

THE WINE ENTHUSIAST, ROGER VOSS

93
After 12 months in wood, the wine has a fine spicy edge. That balances the rich black fruits with their floral character. This is a ripe wine that has plenty of potential. Drink from 2026. July 2022

TIM ATKIN, ROD SMITH

93
Super-saturated black fruit aromas. Sweet mocha oak notes. Rich and inviting. In the mouth this is dense and yet fresh with very ripe and concentrated black and red fruits, but a fresh acidity and not overhanging tannins. Some creaminess of texture on the palate and a dense multi-layered finish. Very good. June 2022

VERT DE VIN, JONATHAN CHOUKROUN CHICHEPORTICHE

95
The nose is fruity, fresh, complex and reveals nice concentration of freshness/finesse, a certain intensity of finesse/delicacy/freshness. There are notes of fresh cherry, violet and, to a lesser extent, bright blackcurrant, combined with hints of fresh saffron, lilac and graphite, as well as fine hints of balsamic, a very discreet touch of timut pepper, vanilla and toast. The palate is fruity, balanced and reveals freshness, a nice acidic structure, minerality, a nice definition, elegance, some volume, a nice work of bitters, lightness in the sense of delicacy/subtlety. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fresh/crisp blackcurrant, pulpy/acidic blackberry and more lightly small red berry, crunchy cherry combined with hints of tonka bean, lilac, fine hints of tobacco as well as a subtle hint of cardamom, a very discreet hint of cocoa bitterness, toasted/roasted almond, roasted/charcoal (in the background). Good length. June 2022

VINOUS, ANTONIO GALLONI

92-94+
The 2021 Fleur Cardinale is an unqualified success for the Decoster family. Dense, rich and beautifully layered, the 2021 offers up copious dark plum, chocolate, spice and licorice, deftly balancing its extroverted personality with the vibrancy of the year. The 2021 was gorgeous both times I tasted it. Sadly, yields are down a startling 50%. May 2022

VINOUS, NEIL MARTIN

91-93
The 2021 Fleur Cardinale has a very ripe bouquet of black cherries, blueberry and crushed violets scents, showing better delineation than previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine acidity, gentle grip and judicious use of oak on the finish. This is a more restrained Fleur Cardinale and it works well. May 2022

VVWINE, ADRIAN VAN VELSEN

91-93
Sehr dichte Farbe. Die Nase ist parfümiert, klar und rein, florale Töne, viel rote Frucht, auch eine anregende Kräuterwürze, komplex. Im Gaumen saftig, frisch, zeigt deutlich weniger Druck als in anderen Jahren, hat jedoch eine gute Balance, eine knackige Frucht und einen angenehm langen, würzigen Abgang, endet salin. Ein frischer, lebendiger Wein. May 2022

WINE CHRONICLES, PANOS KAKAVIATOS

92-94
Smooth tannins and refined, this blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon clocking in at 13.5% alcohol has ripe fruit and juicy finesse. 2021 marks the first year towards conversion to organic, aiming for 2024 certification. I feel like they could do with still less new oak, although the quotient dropped from 100% to 90% with the 2020 vintage. The painstaking attention paid to pair specific lots of wine to each barrel impresses; the blend will be done after barrel ageing. May 2022

YVES BECK

92-94
"Tout en finesse", c'est ainsi que l'on pourrait résumer le bouquet de Fleur Cardinale. Il révèle d'invitantes notes de baies noires et des nuances florales qui confèrent une certaine fraîcheur. De caractère friande et légèrement crémeuse, l'attaque annonce un vin équilibré. Celui-ci est bien soutenu par des tannins veloutés. Un vin qui doit encore gagner en expression au niveau gustatif, respectivement en finale. May 2022

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