Château Fleur Cardinale Édition Rugby Spirit 2021

The oak notes (a bit too present) bring unnecessary bitterness, and the alcohol is out of balance this year, as is the high extract. A pity, because we believe in this estate.

Fragranced and scented nose. Elegant, a little light and may be missing some extra plumpness for some, but it has backbone and structure with balanced and intense flavors, and the texture is sleek and well defined. Straitlaced, but with fragranced cherry and strawberry, a touch creamy yet with plenty of energy and verve, all in good proportion. Fresh and flavorful.

The 2021 Fleur Cardinale, cropped at 21hL/ha, has a rather heady nose with upfront black fruit that just misses the clarity I was expecting after tasting from barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit and here, the wine shows more composure than the aromatics—fresh and quite sapid on the finish of fine length. Hopefully that nose will meliorate with bottle age.

Chocolate-coated plums, black cherries, espresso, flowers and mint leaf pack the perfume. The palate is even better with its layers of lush, sweet, red fruits, spice, creamy tannins and a touch of chalk. The blend is 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. All that extra Cabernet really makes a difference, adding more freshness, complexity and individuality. I hope they continue using more Cabernet here in future vintages. This is the first vintage from 100% organic farming. Sadly, not much was made, as close to half the crop was destroyed by frost. Drink from 2023–2039

Dark ruby core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Fresh blackberries, hints of liquorice, fine wood spices and tangerine zest. Medium-bodied red berries and cherries on the palate, fresh, somewhat loosely knit tannins and a lemon citrus finish. Good with food.

Tons of chalky minerality, darker red and black fruits, leather, and graphite notes emerge from the 2021 Château Fleur Cardinale, a gorgeously textured, medium- to full-bodied, elegant Saint-Emilion that has beautiful tannins, a layered, balanced mouthfeel, and a great finish. While I love it today, this incredibly well-balanced, elegant yet concentrated 2021 will evolve and drink well for upwards of two decades.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: finely jammy, fruity, sweet bouquet; cherry compote, strawberry jelly, vanilla, mocha cream. Balanced, full palate with a creamy texture, sweet fruit, mealy tannins, powerful, sweet aromatics, full finish.

Fine, jammy, fruity, sweet bouquet: cherry compote, strawberry jelly, vanilla, mocha cream. Balanced, full palate with a creamy texture, sweet fruit, powdery tannins, powerful sweet aromatics, full finish. 17/20 2028 - 2045

Attractive medium concentration to the ruby red color, with appealing grilled sandalwood and cedar smoke on the aromatics. The mid-palate tightens and is a little austere, as is the character of the vintage, but there is balance and finesse here, along with juicy autumnal fruits. Tasted twice.

The 2021 Fleur Cardinale is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It features alluring scents of black cherries, boysenberry preserves, and lilacs, followed by hints of spice cake and anise. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly styled with great intensity supported by fine-grained tannins and a lively line, finishing fragrant.

A generous, expressive nose with plenty of poise, heralding a lovely fullness on the palate, juicy black fruits, a voluptuous texture and, on the finish, grainy tannins that cling to the inside of the cheeks.

Fleur Cardinale 2021 reveals itself with serenity and tranquility. The charm of Merlot and freshness, combined with the floral character of Cabernet Franc and a delicate oak note, set the tone. Slightly creamy, the wine has compact tannins and a refreshing structure that gives it an energizing touch and leads it toward harmony! What a great success that highlights the terroir and the teams at Fleur Cardinale. For me, this wine marks a clear turning point in the evolution of this cru!

The nose is fruity, fresh, complex and offers a lovely concentration of freshness/finesse, with a certain intensity in finesse/delicacy/freshness. It reveals notes of fresh cherry and violet, and more lightly of vibrant blackcurrant, combined with small touches of fresh saffron, lilac and graphite, as well as fine hints of balsamic, a very discreet hint of Timut pepper, vanilla and toast. The palate is fruity and balanced, offering freshness, a lovely tangy backbone, minerality, fine definition, elegance, a touch of glycerol, a well-judged bitter profile, and lightness in the sense of delicacy/subtlety. On the palate, this wine shows notes of fresh/crunchy blackcurrant, juicy/tangy blackberry and, more lightly, small red berries and crunchy cherry, combined with hints of tonka bean and lilac, fine hints of tobacco, a subtle hint of cardamom, a very discreet touch of cocoa bitterness, toasted/roasted almond, and roasting/charcoal (in the background). Good length.

Dark, deep purple color. Very aromatic nose, refined, fruity, pure, and appetizing. It shows a lovely hint of ink and wood when the glass is swirled. Precise on entry, perfumed mid-palate, with a lovely texture; the wine gains a riper nuance on the finish, while remaining melting, delicate, juicy, and without any marked tannin. Very well constructed and very good. Blend: 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. For the first time, the share of Merlot decreases and that of the two Cabernets rises (70–30 versus 60–40). Alcohol: 13.5% – pH: 3.53. Yield: 21 hl/ha.

This Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé wine is packed with black fruits. Tannins are present but softening well. Blackberry flavors also will open and integrate as this structured wine matures. Drink from 2026.