Château Fleur-Cardinale St-Emilion 2018

Château Fleur Cardinale, a St-Emilion Grand Cru estate, has a long history, yet it was only after its purchase by Parisians Alain and Claude Asséo that it began estate bottling. Previously, virtually all the wine had been sold off in bulk to négociants. They replanted much of the vineyards, as well as totally renovating the winery and chai. They also engaged the services of the ubiquitous Michel Rolland.

Its 10-hectare vineyard is located east of St-Emilion on a plateau overlooking the small village of St-Etienne-de Lise. The soil is rich in limestone and the vineyard is superbly sited with a south-east aspect.

The wine is a blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Vinification takes place in a mixture of temperature-controlled, cement and stainless steel tanks, and the wine is then matured in oak barriques (30-40% new) for 15 months. It is bottled unfiltered.

A wine with a deep, concentrated colour.

The bouquet is equally delightful, with its intense range of aromas dominated by ripe fruit with floral and spicy overtones.

This wine is charmingly balanced and generous on the palate with perfectly smooth tannins.

The finish is long and aromatic.