Château Croix Cardinale
Acquired in 2011, Château Croix Cardinale has had two very different identities over the course of its history. Since 2023, the estate has been reinventing its grand vin on the south-facing slope, a terroir acquired in 2018 and entirely replanted, which now gives Croix Cardinale a new face.
The vineyard
East of Saint-Émilion, on the limestone plateau of Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse, the Château Croix Cardinale vineyard has the distinctive feature of straddling both slopes.
The first cuvée, Château Croix Cardinale, comes from the south-facing slope, on 4 hectares planted predominantly with Cabernets: Cabernet Franc (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) and Merlot (40%).
The second cuvée, Révélation de Croix Cardinale, comes mainly from the north-facing slope, from two Merlot plots.
Replanted in 2018, this is a young vineyard that is still building towards its full potential.
The ecosystem
The south-facing slope stands out for its particularly steep gradient: the elevation rises from 36 to 74 metres, with a temperature difference of up to three degrees Celsius between the bottom and the top.
Bathed in sunshine, the vines are surrounded by copses of oak and hawthorn, where blackbirds, thrushes and buzzards nest. Here, the Cabernets are planted on limestone, a rare choice in the appellation, which gives the wine freshness and character.
The winery
Here too, preserving the fruit guides every action.
The vat room, modernised in 2024, has eight small double-walled stainless steel tanks of 40 to 60 hectolitres, for vinification that follows each plot as closely as possible.
The hand-picked harvest is sorted according to the ripeness of the grapes before being gravity-fed into the tanks. Extraction is then carried out gently, to preserve the aromatic brilliance and the finesse of the tannins.
The ageing cellar
A golden rule: if the terroir leads, the oak accompanies.
Ageing lasts around thirteen months, divided between a 30 hl foudre, demi-muids, barriques and terracotta amphorae.
Château Croix Cardinale
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Château Croix Cardinale is the D. Decoster family’s rare, terroir-driven grand vin.
An atypical Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, shaped by its Cabernets planted on the limestone of the south-facing slope.
On both nose and palate, it unfolds aromas of black fruit and spice. The Cabernets bring freshness and tension, the Merlots on clay an aromatic brilliance, and the saline finish sets it apart in the appellation.
An age-worthy grand vin, it rests on a solid structure and fresh, powdery tannins, the signature of the House.
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Volume produced
Around 14,000 bottles a year, depending on the conditions of the vintage.
On just 4 hectares, Château Croix Cardinale remains a limited production. -
Tasting tips
Château Croix Cardinale is an age-worthy wine, to be enjoyed now or cellared for a few more years.
When young, decant it one to two hours before serving, to give it time to open up.
As for temperature, aim for 18°C in a room at ambient temperature.
In summer, or as soon as the weather is warmer, serve it at around 16°C instead, so that it keeps all its freshness. -
Food and wine pairing
Château Croix Cardinale is a natural companion to matured meats, well-spiced dishes or roasted vegetables.
For something unexpected, it also pairs with a dessert created by chef Lucas Cramaix, who regularly works at the estate: a black garlic espuma and a cherry sorbet.
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Music and wine pairing
To enjoy while listening to Starlight by Muse
From the very first notes to the end of the track, the driving, tightly paced rhythm evokes the imposing structure of the Cabernets. The wiry, edgy bassline underscores their spicy character. The vibrant grain of Matthew Bellamy’s voice wraps around it all and lends the song great energy, a feeling that those who taste Château Croix Cardinale will share.
Révélation de Croix Cardinale
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Révélation de Croix Cardinale, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, is the second blended cuvée of Château Croix Cardinale: because a Revelation is a way of seeing that opens up new perspectives.
Révélation de Croix Cardinale, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, is a fine introduction to the world of its elder sibling, Château Croix Cardinale.
It can be described as a parcel-based cuvée, as it comes mainly from two Merlot plots covering 1.4 hectares.
More approachable in the short term than the grand vin, Révélation offers a first introduction to it. It reveals an intense aromatic profile of mingled red and black fruits. On the palate, the creamy fruit is carried by fresh, tight-grained tannins.
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Volume produced
Around 8,000 bottles a year, depending on the vintage. Révélation is born from 1.4 hectares of Merlot on the north-facing slope, an inevitably limited production.
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Tasting tips
Révélation is best enjoyed young, for its fruit, and is ready to drink now. A brief spell in the decanter, around thirty minutes, is enough to awaken its aromas. Serve it between 16 and 18°C, nearer 16°C in warm weather.
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Food and wine pairing
This wine is a natural companion to roast meats or well-spiced dishes. It also pairs very well with chocolate desserts.
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Music and wine pairing
To enjoy while listening to Soldier’s Poem by Muse
The measured, steady rhythm guides a melody full of poise. Bellamy’s warm, rounded voice and the soft harmonies create an enveloping atmosphere. The fluid progression of the track mirrors the balance of this wine, whose personality is assertive but never excessive.