Wines Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Château Fleur Cardinale - 2019

Viniou Reviews

Château Fleur Cardinale 2019, classified as a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, is an impressive red wine from Bordeaux's renowned Right Bank. This vintage is predominantly crafted from Merlot, typically complemented by a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, which bring structure and aromatic complexity. The 2019 vintage benefitted from a warm, balanced growing season, resulting in deeply coloured wines with ripe tannins and vibrant freshness. The terroir at Château Fleur Cardinale is a mosaic of limestone-clay soils, conferring the wines their hallmark elegance, minerality, and longevity. Vinification here is meticulous, with gentle extraction and ageing in French oak, enhancing the wine’s capacity for both youthful charm and patient cellaring.

Saint-Émilion itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the historic hearts of Bordeaux viticulture. Set upon rolling hills on the right bank of the Dordogne, the region has been renowned for centuries for its Merlot-based blends. The combined influence of limestone-rich soils and temperate oceanic climate creates ideal conditions for producing refined reds that balance opulence and freshness. The tradition of winemaking in Saint-Émilion dates back to Roman times, and the grand crus of this area are celebrated worldwide for their aromatic intensity, silky tannins, and potential for extended ageing.

For food pairings, Château Fleur Cardinale 2019 suits classic French cuisine. Its rich, full-bodied profile pairs beautifully with dishes such as roast lamb with garlic and rosemary, duck breast with red fruit sauce, or a well-seasoned beef fillet. Regional Saint-Émilion fare like entrecôte à la Bordelaise (rib steak with red wine and shallot sauce) is an excellent match. Mature cheeses, particularly hard cow’s milk varieties like Comté or a well-aged Cantal, also work nicely alongside this wine.

For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16-18°C. Decanting the wine for one to two hours before serving will help release its nuanced bouquet of dark fruits, spices, and subtle oak. This allows the wine’s structure and aromatic depth to fully express themselves, offering both intensity and finesse in every sip.