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. Apr 2014, www.robertparker.com
Robert ParkerScore: 93/100
Packed with black licorice, floral, stone, blackberry and chocolate, this blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon produced a lush, round, St. Emilion that ended with chocolate covered black cherries. This is a very successful wine for the vintage. theWineCellarInsider.com
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar InsiderScore: 90-93/100
Ripe and generous. Good aromatic complexity - black-currant, violet and liquorish notes. Suave, sweet and warm with a long, firm finish. Drink 2017-2028. Decanter.com
DecanterScore: 16.5/20
Plenty of good fruit with mineral and blueberry character. Full and chewy with polished tannins and a violet fruit undertones. Well made. jamessuckling.com
James SucklingScore: 89-90/100
Black-hearted crimson. Very ripe so there's even a touch of strawberry sweetness to the black fruit. Firm, thick tannins, not dry but quite hard work and slightly bitter on the finish. Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MWScore: 16/20
There is patently a lot of new oak on the nose that is rounded and savoury. The palate is medium-bodied with dry, slightly coarse tannins. There is a touch of hardness in the middle and the finish is slightly austere and saline. Tasted April 2012. Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com
Neal MartinScore: 86-88/100
Bordeaux / France