Chateau Fleur Cardinale 2019 Limited Surf Session Magnum 1.5L
150cl / 14.5 %
Chateau Fleur Cardinale Collector’s Edition #2
For this 2019 vintage, the Château Fleur Cardinale’s family knight heads off to take on the Hawaiian waves in our “Surf Session” Collector Edition.
Surfing offers a number of parallels with wine-growing. They share similar values. Both vignerons and surfers have a humble respect for nature; both are able to adapt and to stay patient.
This Surf Session Collector Edition has been released for the 2019, a vintage which can be described as the ideal wave –one that will only ever come along once. Only 2000 magnums carry this one-off label.
*Very limited stocks, available on first come first serve basis*
For this second edition, the knight is ready to ride the wave. Surfboards have replaced the fighting sword, sharks and exotic fruits have taken their place on this new label.
The knight, haloed by a crown of flowers, wears Polynesian tattoos that carry meaning: the tiki, which protects against danger, the gecko, which favors luck and fortune, and the turtle, symbol of eternity, union, and harmony.
This 2019 is unique, the result of a year of extreme weather conditions, beginning with frost at the beginning of May, followed by a hot and very dry summer, and then completed by optimal conditions during the harvesting of the grapes. The vigneron in this vintage could be compared to the surfer seeking to tame the natural power of the wave, standing on his board in a supple posture with perfect control of his balance.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright, medium-deep to deep garnet Nose: The nose reveals aromas of morello cherries, ripe red berry fruits, and subtle nuances of violets. Palate: The freshness of the attack gives way to a mouth-watering palate with a sensation of ripe black fruits bursting through to fill the whole mouth. The structure is underpinned by wonderfully silky tannins, giving the whole great finesse and elegance. The palate develops towards a long finish with lingering creamy fruit notes. Grape Varieties: 71% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon Awards: 95pts – James Suckling; 95pts – Decanter; 95pts – Wine Advocate-Parker; 94pts – Jeb Dunnuck; 94pts – Wine Cellar Insider; 94pts – Vinous-Antonio Galloni
History of Château Fleur Cardinale
A Grand Cru Classé, Château Fleur Cardinale produces wines that reflect the Decoster family’s philosophy: creating wines that reflect their passion for the Saint-Émilion terroir all while treating the land with the utmost respect.
The history of Château Fleur Cardinale’s rise to glory has been shaped by human passion and the undeniable quality of the terroir. The estate owes its current name, Château Fleur Cardinale, to Jean-Louis Obissier, son of the mayor of Villerouge-Termenes who purchased Clos Bel-Air in 1975. It is said that the Obissier family owned race horses at the time, by the names of Fleur and Cardinale. After the death of his race horses, Mr. Obissier changed the name of the estate to Château Fleur Cardinale.
Château Fleur Cardinale watches over a 23.1-hectare vineyard in the Saint-Émilion appellation, which comprises an array of terroirs with 6 different soils and sub-soils of clay-limestone origin.
In May 2001, Dominique and his wife Florence decided to buy Château Fleur Cardinale from the Asséo family who had owned the estate since 1982. The family was drawn to the quality of life here and the welcome they received from those in the wine trade. As soon as they arrived in 2001, Florence and Dominique decided to keep the team that had been working there for several years and surround themselves with knowledgeable advisers: an agricultural engineer, an oenologist and their neighbour Jean-Luc Thunevin, the owner of Château Valandraud, who is now the estate’s general consultant. These strategic decisions earned Château Fleur Cardinale the rank of Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé in 2006.
Having attained the status of Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé in 2006 and again in 2012, Château Fleur Cardinale has quickly become a blue chip of the Saint-Emilion appellation noted for its consistent quality and very good scores for every vintage.
