Château Croix Cardinale 2015

Deep ruby. Coffee, spices, dark fruits, some floral notes. Fresh acidity, coffee, rich, intense, dark fruits, spices, good length. April 2016

Avril 2016
Pourpre aux reflets violets. Bouquet de bonne intensité, révélant des notes de cassis, de fruits confits frais et de caramel. Attaque suave, agréable, séduisante. On retrouve également des notes de caramel et cacao en bouche. Le vin a de la structure et des tannins légèrement granuleux qui se révèlent déjà en milieu de bouche. Un vin agréable, qui sera accessible dans sa jeunesse déjà. Bravo. 2020–2032.

Décembre 2017
Rouge grenat aux reflets violets. Bouquet de bonne intensité, notes de baies noires et de réglisse. Attaque friande et fruitée. En bouche, le corps a du gras et est parfaitement équilibré. Les tannins sont bien intégrés et se révèlent lentement. Un vin gourmand, bien structuré, à savourer dans sa jeunesse mais qui a le mérite de révéler un très bon potentiel de garde. 2019–2035.

Dark purple red with violet hue and black core. Aromatic nose reminiscent of blackberry jam, vanilla, black cherries, mild spices in the background. On the palate velvety character, ripe tannins and juicy fruit, with rather good length. March 2016

From the owners of Fleur Cardinale, Dominique and Florence Decoster, the 2015 Château Croix Cardinale is more than a little impressive and comes from a 4-hectare parcel just beside the Fleur Cardinale vineyard. Based on 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new oak, its deep ruby color is followed by a terrific bouquet of red and black currants, new leather, dried spices, and flowers. With medium to full-bodied richness, an elegant texture, and a great finish, it’s going to shine for 15+ years. November 2017

Le château est une nouvelle acquisition de La Fleur Cardinale, son voisin. La robe est noire et le nez est puissant sur la mûre. Le vin est élégant, du charme, beaucoup de fruit, du soyeux aussi. Une belle réussite à suivre. 2018

Simple, bright, clean black fruit. Straightforward and softly structured. Has a padded sort of feel to it. Easy appeal. March 2016

Suave creamy baking spices sit across slightly nutty oak with attractive blueberry fruits below. The palate has a strong thread of mocha complimented by ripe blueberry and dark-plum flavors. Smooth tannins with attractive depth and grip. Try from 2023. February 2018

April 2016
The 2015 Château Croix Cardinale is a blend of 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, and was cropped at 30 hectoliters per hectare between October 5-20. It has a pleasant, lilting, raspberry coulis and strawberry preserve-scented bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well-judged acidity, balanced and poised with a delineated, slightly earthy finish that has just the right amount of dryness to urge another sip. This is a well-crafted Saint Émilion from the Decoster family that should age well.

February 2018
The 2015 Croix Cardinale is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 13 months. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it has a nose of blackberries, plums, black cherries and spice cake with touches of pepper and fragrant earth. The medium to full-bodied mouth is rich and chewy with a good core of fruit.

Silky, plush and polished with weight, density and freshness, the licorice-covered, spicy fruits and sweet, polished tannins feel and taste great on your palate. April 2016

The 2015 Croix Cardinale offers good up-front intensity in its red cherry jam, mint, plum and lavender flavors but then loses some persistence through the midpalate and finish. The 2015 is certainly a solid wine, but I had hoped for more. The blend is 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc.

This has a solid core of cassis and crushed plum fruit that takes a polished feel through the finish, picking up light floral anise and iron hints along the way. Drink now through 2024. 1,083 cases made. 2018