A very rich and ripe, dark-fruited wine with dark, stony aromas. Rich fruit on the palate, offering dark plum and chocolate flavors and firm, long, assertive tannins. A blend of 72 per cent merlot and 28 per cent cabernet franc. Second wine of Chateau Fleur Cardinale. Try from 2022.

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Croix Cardinale gives up bold notes of baked black cherries, red and black plums, garrigue and tilled soil with a hint of mossy bark. The palate is medium to full-bodied, plush and pure with a lovely peppery edge to the long finish.