March 24, 2024 - Decanted 2 hours and it may have needed more. Beautiful nose of red & black fruits with ceder wood and herbal whiffs. The palate was nicely balanced, but it seemed quite thin on the mid-palate. The fruits, wood and some leather were present but were hiding. Perhaps bottle age or longer decanting would help fill this out. I was really hoping to try some the next day but dang if we didn’t finish the bottle by evenings end.
This was my first swing at Château Fleur Cardinale and although the Merlot was present I don’t have reference to past vintages.
February 18, 2024 - Decanted over 1-2 hrs. Improved with time. Ruby color, medium dark, some red dark fruits, some cherry, dark raspberry, some oak integrated, balance, tannings present. Medium body, medium to large finish. Left some for tmw. I think ready to drink with some decanting time.
January 28, 2024 - Had another one of these from the case I had. It was reasonably firm and tight, unsurprisingly given its youth, though I had just half the bottle and finished the rest on the 3rd day, after vacuum seal. By then this had unfurled surprisingly well and felt like it had added a few years of bottle age; it was very inviting, sweet and rich. I tend to like this producer across vintages and for its pricepoint, and it looks like this vintage won't disappoint; will try and forget about these for a few more years.
January 22, 2024 - Nice, tight as expected. Mid weight, crunchy red toned Merlot with some herbal underpinning. Wood char with time, but dialed back compared to other vintages. Mid term aging should bring a bit more interest. Better with 3 days of air, but nothing profound or worth seeking out for me. Should be better in 3 years and drink fine for a decade. A cellar defender at best. drink or hold...no consequence.
December 20, 2023 - Savory, smooth tannins. Held up well even on day 3 (using coravin pivot).
December 13, 2023 - 2nd bottle of this one. Could copy/paste my last note. Still pretty good. Seems like it hasn't shut down yet (maybe it never will?). Gave it 4 hours of air - silky tannins. Young appearance, but in a good way. Blue and red fruits paired with flowers on the fresh nose. Palate is fresh and refined too. No heat, not much sugar - nothing to complain about - a damn good Price/Quality-Range for € 32,-.
December 9, 2023 - Intense dark fruit on the nose
Packs a punch up front with heavy tannin and oak. Black cherry comes out through the mid, then chocolate and oak finish. Long warm finish
November 12, 2023 - Needs more time to age.
October 14, 2023 - 91+
still young but showing well
September 29, 2023 - Method: opened 45 minutes prior; starting at cellar temp; Bordeaux glass
Look: medium garnet
Nose: black cherry / blueberry pie, vanilla, baking spices, very faint cedar
Palate: red plum, dried herbs, graphite; long finish bitter dried herbs, graphite; dry; medium body with hallow mid palate; high- drying tannin; medium acrid / tart acidity that makes it hard to drink
It gets worse with every sip. It’s bitter and tart. Acrid. Drying tannins. I’m tempted to rate this in the 50s, but I didn’t actually spit it out, though I was tempted. I can’t drink this. Is it possible the cork completely failed (although, it doesn’t look like it).? Horrible. One of the worse wines I’ve ever had.