2018 Croix Cardinale
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Croix Cardinale has a compact bouquet that needs 2–3 hours to open, eventually revealing blackberry wild strawberry, tobacco and melted tar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins on the entry. Quite pointed and sharp, there is a pleasant spiciness through this Saint-Émilion, although it does not quite kick on toward the finish. But if you want a peppery wine to enjoy over the next decade, then this will fit the bill.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Coming from a tiny parcel next to Fleur Cardinale and 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Château Croix Cardinale has a beautiful, complex nose of red and black fruits, white truffle, flowers, and sandalwood. With an almost Pomerol-like elegance, it nevertheless has beautiful minerality and limestone character, ripe, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It's beautifully done and shines on all accounts. It's going to impress for 15+ years.
The 2018 Croix Cardinale is laced with generous crushed red berry fruit, rose petal, spice and orange peel. Pliant and open-knit, with very pretty aromatics, the 2018 will drink well right out of the gate. The 2018 is understated and gracious.
Composed of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, possessing 14.5% alcohol, the 2018 Croix Cardinale is deep garnet-purple colored, bursting from the glass with notions of juicy black and red plums, lifted cherries and baked raspberries, plus suggestions of fruitcake and woodsmoke. The medium to full-bodied palate offers harmonious baked black and red fruits with a well-knit frame of soft tannins and a lively backbone, finishing on a fragrant earth note.