“The 2016 Fleur Cardinale is a sumptuous wine”- AG

“A blend of 74% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Château Fleur Cardinale spent 14 months in new French oak. Deep ruby/purple-colored, with a stunning nose of smoked black fruits, classy oak, violets, and camphor, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, beautiful purity, ripe, present, polished tannins, and a great finish. It’s a beautiful wine from this tip-top estate that has the class to keep for two decades or more. Date 2019-2039.”- Jebdunnuck.com, 2/19

“The 2016 Fleur Cardinale is a sumptuous wine. There is no shortage of richness or volume here, that much is obvious. Sweet tobacco, leather, espresso and cherry abound. The 2016 is exotic and flamboyant in style, and yet the new oak is overdone to the point that the early signs of oxidation are already present. I very much like the intensity here, but the reality is that the 2016 could have and should have been an even better wine. Drink 2021-2036.”- Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 1/19

“The grapes are sourced from a lovely vineyard owned by the Decoster family, located on cooler soils to the east of the appellation, where the late harvest of 2016, through to 25 October, is not unusual. There’s plenty to enjoy here, with bitter chocolate, fresh menthol notes and rich, tight tannins. It has well expressed cassis and blackberry flavours and a silky texture. Jean-Philippe Fort consulted, with the wine aged in 100% new oak barrels after vinification in stainless steel. Bottled unfiltered. 35hl/ha yield. Drinking Window 2024 – 2040”- Jane Anson, Decanter, 10/18

“Good brambly energy leads off here, with a mix of cassis, bitter cherry and plum puree flavors entwined with red licorice and floral notes. The juicy finish pulls everything together. Best from 2021 through 2034.” — JM, Wine Spectator, 3/19

“Dense and full of dark fruits, this wine has a solid structure and big tannins. Smoky and ripe with juicy, opulent berry flavors, it offers power and concentration. The wine needs to soften over many years before it reaches its full potential. Drink from 2024.”- Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

“The 2016 Fleur Cardinale has a riper, more ostentatious bouquet than the Croix Cardinale, without the same delineation and poise. The palate is ripe and generous on the entry, coating the mouth in pastille-like black cherry and blueberry fruit, and a little heady in style, just missing some delineation on the finish. Fine, though it does not match the promise it showed in barrel. Side by side, I prefer the Croix Cardinale. Drink 2023-2038.”- ”- Neal Martin, Vinous 1/19