Soil: Stony gravel and limestone-clay
Altitude: 30 meters
Density of plantation: 7,500 vines per hectare
Pruning: Guyot double
Vineyard practices: Elimination of excess buds; leaf stripping as needed Certification Agriculture Raisonee 2006

Sitting proudly on the Medoc's highest plateau, Chateau LA CARDONNE has consistently produced the finest Medoc Cru Bourgeois wines for over three centuries. Chateau LA CARDONNE is vinified in an elegant fruit-forward style, with ripe blackcurrant and plum fruit, balanced by a rich, medium to full-bodied palate, with cedar, pencil-shaving character and smooth silky tannins.

With Cabernet Sauvignon (45%) and Cabernet Franc (5%), growing on gravel-based soil and Merlot (50%), growing on limestone-clay based soil, their unique terroir delivers rich and complex wines with minimal intervention, winning awards and recognition around the world.

Chateau La Cardonne 2000 was voted by Decanter Magazine as the Best Cru Bourgeois of that vintage, and their 2005 vintage scored 90 points in the International Wine Challenge. More recently, their 2009 vintage scored an amazing 92 points in Wine Spectator, higher than many of the Medoc Grand Cru Classe wines, and the 2010 vintage was scored at 90 points by Robert Parker and by Robin Brooks (Decanter Magazine).

Their philosophy is somewhat different to many in Bordeaux. In 1990 they built the largest underground cellar in the region, locally known as The Cathedral, where they have the ability to stock over 10 separate vintages, releasing the wines as they become ready to drink. Today vintages from 2005 to 2010 are currently being enjoyed in over 40 countries around the world.

Deep garnet red, with purple highlights. The bouquet mingles black fruits (blueberry, blackberry), spices and perfectly integrated wood. The palate is rich, round and fresh. Impressive and yet fine tannins, very promising. A long finish with vanilla aroma.