Château Fleur Cardinale St Emilion Grand Cru Grand Cru Classé 2024

Maison Cardinale, as the overall Decoster group of estates is now called, has produced a wine with energy and lift. Doing this in the 2024 vintage without overpowering acidity is a tough ask, but you can find a good example of what is possible here – smooth rich blackberry and red cherry fruits, firm tannic grip, definitely on the slim side of fruit expression on these north-facing slopes but with a ton slate minerality and finesse. 36% new oak, 42hl/h yield, 26ha vineyard, 25% 600l new oak casks, and 2% amphora. They have introduced a variety of differently-sized containers for ageing, overseen by technical director Ludovine Chagnon. The blend given is likely to be final, but the decision will be taken after ageing.