Fleur Cardinale 2012

St Emilion, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

The flagship wine from the Decoster family, this blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon has been a hugely successful wine since they acquired this 58-acre estate and revolutionized the level of quality. This is consistently one of the best St.-Emilions and over-achieving for its classification. The 2012 has pure, striking aromatics of blueberry, black raspberry, minerals and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, ripe and multi-dimensional, with a beautiful texture, this is stunning wine that completely dominates its classification and over-delivers in terms of quality and potential longevity. It should drink well for 15 or more years. Yields were a modest 34 hectoliters per hectare from an unusually late harvest October 22 to November 2.

Score: 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2030 01 April 2015

This full-bodied beauty exhibits a dense opaque purple color in addition to copious notes of crème de cassis, kirsch, licorice and incense. It should drink well for 15-20 years. This will be a sleeper of the vintage A superstar of the vintage (not surprising given how successful the proprietors, the Decoster family, have been over the last decade or more), this 58-acre vineyard located near the village of St.-Etienne de Lisse enjoyed yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare. The harvest took place extremely late — between October 22 and November 3. The final blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon came in at 13.5% natural alcohol. Every detail, both in the vineyard and the winery, is looked after by the meticulous owners. This will be a sleeper of the vintage as the Decosters have been among the most realistic proprietors in Bordeaux when it comes to pricing their wines.

Score: 92 - 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2013-2033 26 April 2013

Plenty of fruit and velvety tannins. Full body, juicy fruit, and a wonderful depth for the vintage.

Score: 90 - 91

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 21 April 2013

Features a core of dark anise, fruitcake, plum sauce and raspberry, with a fleshy texture that hangs through the finish. Has guts without the vintage’s chewy, taut feel.

Score: 90 - 93

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 08 April 2013