Chateau Fleur Cardinale Grand Cru 2011

Chateau Fleur Cardinale blev købt af familien Decoster i 2001. Efter at have været ejer af en stor porcelænsfabrik i Limoges, ønskede Dominique Decoster at lade sig førtidspensionere og hellige sig sit vinslot som hobby. Slottet ligger øst i St. Emilion på grænsen til Castillon på et unikt jordstykke, som ligner underlag man finder på Cheval Blanc og Angelus. Deres gode ven og nabo, Jean Luc Thunevin, som også ejer Chateau Valandraud, mente de sad på et enormt potentiale, og opfordrede Decoster familien til at præsentere Fleur Cardinale i den nye klassifikationen. I 2006 blev slottet klassificeret Grand Cru Classé, og har siden vist sit ægte potentiale. Vinmarken består af 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc og 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine Spectator: 90 Points
This is solid, with lush fig, blackberry and black currant compote notes, accented by a warm ganache edge. Dark and fleshy through the finish, showing prominent yet integrated dark toast. Should settle in with modest cellaring. For fans of the more hedonistic style. Best from 2015 through 2023.

Wine Advocate: 93 Points
This gorgeous 2011 continues the succession of impressive wines made by this estate since it was acquired by the Decoster family. Beautiful black raspberry, blueberry and black currant fruit notes intermixed with a touch of spring flowers emerge from a wine with excellent balance, nicely integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood, and a healthy saturated ruby/purple color. This full-bodied, long, captivating La Fleur Cardinale is already drinking well, and should continue to do so for 10-12 years. It is a sleeper of the vintage.