2016 Croix Cardinale
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Tasting notes
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Croix Cardinale gives up bold notes of baked black cherries, red and black plums, garrigue and tilled soil with a hint of mossy bark. The palate is medium to full-bodied, plush and pure with a lovely peppery edge to the long finish.
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Average Score
Neal Martin
James Suckling
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The 2016 Château Croix Cardinale comes from a 4-hectare vineyard of clay and limestone soils that was purchased by Dominique and Florence Decoster, owners of Fleur Cardinale, in 2012. The 2016 is another great value in a vintage where there are loads of them. Made from 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc brought up in new French oak, it has a medium-bodied, elegant, light-on-its-feet style as well as classic red and blue fruits, some dried herbs and spice aromas, and a silky texture that keeps you coming back to the glass. Drink it any time over the coming decade or more.
The 2016 Croix Cardinale has attractive wild strawberry, raspberry coulis and light floral tones on the nose, which feels pure and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity, and cohesive in the mouth, displaying well-integrated oak on the finish. Afford it five years in bottle and it should turn into an upstanding Saint-Émilion.
A very rich and ripe, dark-fruited wine with dark, stony aromas. Rich fruit on the palate, offering dark plum and chocolate flavors and firm, long, assertive tannins. A blend of 72 per cent merlot and 28 per cent cabernet franc. Second wine of Château Fleur Cardinale. Try from 2022.