10/26/2018 - TannicBeast Likes this wine:

Clear, medium (+) to deep ruby with a deep garnet hue on the rim and thick, dark, glass-staining legs. The nose is clean*, complex, with aromas of black currant, black cherry, stewed plums, dried red flowers, leather, mocha and sweet baking spices. The nose is still developing, with a beautiful woodsy note from the new oak barrique. The palate is dry, but with the fruit still prevalent and a rich and creamy mouthfeel. The acidity is medium and the tannins are medium to (+) and very silky. The alcohol is high at 14.6% but is well integrated and unobtrusive. This is a full-bodied, generous wine, with medium (+) flavor intensity and a long finish. It is undoubtedly New World in style, but demonstrates nice balance and harmoniousness. I don't think it is likely to improve much with further aging, but it is not means near the end of its trajectory. It only garnered an 88 by WS in 2010, but I respectfully disagree.

* At first the nose appeared to have a slight a slight oxidative note, but that dissipated. A slight volatile acidity also manifested and then quickly dissipated. The wine actually showed better a couple of nights after being opened. In conclusion, I would decant it for a couple of hours before serving.

9/5/2013 - Average Wine Guy (MH) wrote:

The 2009 Château Fleur Cardinale is made with 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium plus purple in colour, the wine opens a bouquet of black berries, dark currants, plums, cedar, almost bronze-like and underlying vanilla.

On the palate, an initial entry of sweet vanilla and fruitiness of dark riped currants, dark cherries overwhelms before progressing to cedar woodiness and some serious grippy tannins alongside medium+ acidity. Powerful and driven with a medium+ alcohol after the medium finish. A definite bold structure with the '09 vintage characteristics of a robust, big wine. (88-92) for now, packs quite a punch - maybe more years in the bottle might help tone it down a little.

5/10/2013 - Yamadori wrote:

Decanted 2 hours and rebottled. Nice nose of blackberry and blueberry fruit with some kirsch liquor. Medium plus body but not overbearing. Nice balance and structure although there is a touch of heat throughout. The initial attack of dark fruit transitions to a sweeter more red fruit driven profile on the mid palate with some notes of smoke and spice. 25 second finish with some crunchy tannins. Notes of liquor,spice and black tea at the very end. Not had this before but I get the impression that this wine may have been a little disjointed but is beginning to come together nicely. Drinking very nicely now with plenty of air but could well add a point or to with 4 or 5 years in the cellar. (91+ points).

1/30/2013 - Emvip wrote:

Very bright, tight and had some initial effervescence that took some time to blow off. Good flavors of cola and tart cherry, but minimal complexity. Decent, didn't love it

12/9/2012 - JackieTreehorn Does not like this wine:

Did not enjoy this one. Really boring. Opened 3 hours prior to consumption and it didn't not help at all.

7/20/2012 - Emvip wrote:

How is this a 92+ bottle? I've had this bottle 3-4 times and it is so over extracted and sweetened it's ridiculous. It literally tastes like the winemaker poured sweetener in it. I just don't get all the hype. There are hundreds of bottles that are way better than this for far less than the $65 this retails for.

1/3/2011 - Giacomo wrote:

Had a half bottle of this at A.R. Valentien (The Lodge at Torrey Pines) with New Year's Eve dinner. First time at the restaurant and first time for a Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. WOW, we loved it. Simply delicious. Medium to low fruit, medium weight and I don't remember the nose - I do remember it was low key, it did not fill the glass and hit you. But what a delicious wine, so elegant, such beautiful texture. It was a joy to drink. Afterwards I learned this is the entry level wine for SLWC. Anxious to try the other Cabs when I can.