2011 Fleur Cardinale

This gorgeous 2011 continues the succession of impressive wines made by this estate since it was acquired by the Decoster family. Beautiful black raspberry, blueberry and black currant fruit notes intermixed with a touch of spring flowers emerge from a wine with excellent balance, nicely integrated acidity, tannin, alcohol and wood, and a healthy saturated ruby/purple color. This full-bodied, long, captivating La Fleur Cardinale is already drinking well, and should continue to do so for 10-12 years. It is a sleeper of the vintage.

Black-hearted crimson. Very ripe so there's even a touch of strawberry sweetness to the black fruit. Firm, thick tannins, not dry but quite hard work and slightly bitter on the finish. (JH)

Packed with black licorice, floral, stone, blackberry and chocolate, this blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon produced a lush, round, St. Emilion that ended with chocolate covered black cherries. This is a very successful wine for the vintage. theWineCellarInsider.com