Château Croix Cardinale 2022

Fruity and forward on the palate, a rush of bright and tangy blackcurrant, black cherry and strawberry fruit with a calm succulence and crushed stone minerality. This feels nicely complete and round, easy to drink even now with balanced acidity and a super smooth yet appealingly weighted tannic structure. Freshness and mass appeal here. 3.67pH. Yield of 27hl/ha. Bee friendly. Ageing 12-14 months, 70% new French oak barrels, 26% in one wine barrels, 4% in amphora of 750l. 7.62ha estate on clay and limestone soils. Harvest 12, 29 and 30 September. Jean-Philippe Fort consultant.
Mai 2023

Deep dark ruby, inky, opaque core, purple reflections. Fresh black cherries, blackberries, fine wood spice, nuances of herbs and orange zest. Medium complexity, blackberry fruit, fresh structure, chalky minerality, lemony finish, good ageing potential.
Mai 2023

65% Merlot, 30% C. Franc and 5% C. Sauvignon. 13.79% alcohol. Beginning with 2022 vintage, grapes from the vineyard on the northern slope were included in Fleur Cardinale, while grapes from the vineyard planted with C. Sauvignon on the southern slope were included in Croix Cardinale. It’s the first time C. Sauvignon is in the blend. Lush cherries, violets, dark chocolate, energetic, well-defined on the palate, silky tannin, and delicate finish. Seductive effort.
Mai 2023

Fresh berry and orange peel with some stone aromas and flavors. Rose stems, too. Medium body. Savory and crisp.
Avril 2023

Coming from the same team as Fleur Cardinale, the 2022 Château Croix Cardinale is a more Cabernet Franc-driven blend and checks in as 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. Hitting 13.79% natural alcohol, with a pH of 3.69, its vivid purple color is followed by a lifted, floral, red and blue-fruited bouquet. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, lively, elegant 2022 with plenty of ripeness, outstanding purity, and fine-grained tannins.
Mai 2023

Medium-bodied, soft, silky, and fresh, with sweetness, and lift to the red cherries, and plums on the supple, textured palate. There is fruit, and freshness in the finish. Drink from 2025-2035.
Mai 2023

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2022 Croix Cardinale sashays out with suggestions of black raspberries, black cherry compote, and stewed plums, plus touches of licorice, tar, and dried roses. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is velvety and juicy with compelling freshness and a perfumed finish. Croix Cardinale is a small, 8.5-hectare vineyard composed of limestone and clay. The blend this year is 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Mai 2023

Le bouquet de Croix Cardinale se révèle de manière filigrane, subtilement. Cela surprend quelque peu, entendez par cela que je l'ai connu plus exubérant. C'est tout en sa faveur d'ailleurs ! En bouche le vin est de bonne densité. Belle harmonie entre l'ampleur et une touche friande. Les tannins, veloutés, sont de bonne facture et de pair avec la fraîcheur de la structure acide. Un vin convaincant !
Mai 2023