CHÂTEAU FLEUR CARDINALE
BORDEAUX, FRANCE 2020
Why Buy: A powerful 96-point Bordeaux from a 2020 vintage universally hailed as outstanding — with savings up to 25%. We continue to be impressed by the quality of output of this Right Bank estate, which is sometimes overlooked when compared to its more celebrated neighbors, but rarely fails, in our estimation, to deliver terroir-specific depth, length, and pleasure.
What They're Saying: "A wine that continues to build,” Suckling noted, in his 96-point rave, "gaining power throughout the palate. Deep and dense with a velvety dark-fruited core. Really long, tense and persistent.” The Wine Advocate was right there with him, calling it a Bordeaux "chock-full of softly textured, juicy black fruits, countered by fantastic tension, finishing with great length and loads of earthy layers."
Our Tasting Notes: From the first pour, this Fleur Cardinale will captivate you with its deep, almost impenetrable hue — a harbinger of the utterly commanding presence it will soon demonstrate. The nose is a mesmerizing mix of ripe blackberry, crème de cassis, and smoky spice, with underlying notes of graphite and wet earth that lend an air of brooding sophistication. On the palate, it's a wine of supreme concentration and poise, its velvety, enveloping texture giving way to a core of vibrant, penetrating fruit and mineral energy. The finish lingers on with a crescendo of dark chocolate, sweet tobacco, and crushed stone. An impressive, all-around performance.
The Story: When the Decoster family first acquired Château Fleur Cardinale in 2001, this prized Right Bank estate was already steeped in centuries of winemaking history. But the new owners were anything but content to simply rest on reputation. Instead, they set out to meticulously fine-tune every aspect of the viticulture and vinification, in their determination to elevate Fleur Cardinale to the upper echelons of Saint-Émilion. In a region where tradition reigns supreme, the Decosters have never been ones to simply go along with the status quo. They're renowned for their willingness to experiment, forever looking for innovative ways to coax the fullest, most compelling expressions from this hallowed terroir. From cutting-edge viticultural practices in the vineyards to state-of-the-art fermentation techniques in the cellars, no detail has been left to chance in their dogged pursuit of excellence. At the same time, and to their immense credit, it’s not the Decosters’s style to seek glory. They’re much more focused on the drinking experience — on the layers of dark fruit, mineral intrigue, and velvety tannins that they create, time and again, and that pull us in and compel us to take another sip, pour another glass, open another bottle.
The Specs: This is a classic Right Bank blend, composed, predominantly, of Merlot, with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and definition. After a gentle destemming and careful sorting, the grapes underwent a temperature-controlled fermentation, with regular punch-downs and pump-overs to maximize extraction. The wine then spent 18 months aging in French oak barrels, 40% of them new.
What to Pair It With: Its lush, velvety profile calls for dishes of similar heft and intensity — a juicy, grilled ribeye or Tomahawk, a plate of pork chops with hoisin sauce, a roast duck breast with mole.
Fun Fact: Fleur Cardinale is actually a re-name; the estate originally went by the name Clos Bel-Air. In 1975, Jean-Louis Obissier, who had just purchased the property, decided to honor his racehorses, Fleur and Cardinale.
Our Guarantee: Remember, friends – we always buy direct and we only source direct, so you can rest assured that your wine will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. With limited quantities available at this special discounted price, we encourage you to act quickly.
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2024 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th, 2025). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, TN, or WA. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Thursday, November 21st, 2024.