Chateau Fleur Cardinale 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "Excellent depth of fruit, with tension, focus and precision. Medium to full body. Dense center-palate and a creamy-textured finish. Ripe, fine tannins."

VINUM: "Kühler im Ausdruck mit reifer Kirschfrucht, Brombeere und einer kalkigen Mineralik, wirkt frischer, tiefgründiger als in anderen Jahren; ungemein knackig, pudriges Tannin, elegant, zeigt Schliff, Präzision und Eleganz. Hervorragend!"

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Reife Herzkirschen, zart nach Lakritze, reife Pflaumen sind unterlegt, ein Hauch von kandierten Orangenzesten, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, süße Frucht, elegante Textur, reife Tannine, zartes Nugat, mineralisch und anhaftend, salziger Nachhall, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2023 Fleur Cardinale bursts with bold notions of blackberry preserves and boysenberries followed by hints of star anise, black olives, and lilacs. The medium to full-bodied palate is filled with expressive black fruits and savory accents, framed by ripe, rounded tannins, finishing long and earthy."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The Grand Vin 2023 Château Fleur Cardinale checks in as 56% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon that hit 14.5% alcohol and 3.6 pH, raised in 45% new French oak, with 15% in demi-muids, 10% in wooden vats, and 10% in amphora. It has a gorgeous, incredible limestone-driven bouquet of black raspberries, chalky minerality, flowers, and spicy nuances. This medium-bodied, concentrated, beautifully balanced Saint-Emilion has remarkable purity, fine, chalky tannins, the juicy, elegant style of the vintage, and outstanding length. It's a more focused, mineral-driven effort compared to its Croix Cardinale sibling."

DECANTER: "Crafted from grapes picked between this lovely Grand Cru Classé, ageing 13 months in 45% new oak (what a nice change from the not so distant past, when it was dominated by too much oak tannin) exudes ripe plum and red berry fruit aromas and flavours, with darker fruit and liquorice on the juicy palate, marked by smooth tannins furthermore reflecting the potential positive energy of the vintage, as the wine has vivaciousness, leading to a medium finish with lift."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Chocolate covered black cherries, licorice, plums, and espresso nuances are all over the place on the nose, and on the lush, polished, round palate. The blend is 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. All that extra Cabernet really makes a difference adding more freshness, complexity, and individuality. Drink from 2027-2040."

WEINWISSER: "Üppiges (überreifes) Bouquet, Demassine, Schokocreme und Veilchen. Am satten Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, nerviger Rasse, mineralischem Kern, engmaschigem Tanninkorsett sowie sehnigem Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale Erdbeerkonfitüre, eingelegte Schattenmorellen und Graphit. Aufgerundet."