Chateau La Cardonne

Sitting on Medoc’s highest plateau, Chateau La Cardonne was formerly owned by Lafite-Rothschild. It is a Cru Bourgeois for over three centuries, with the estate started growing vines in the 17^th century, and was recently acquired by the Charloux family in 1990.

The soils are mainly gravelly, with limestone, and planted with 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, the vines are averaging 30 years. Latest investment includes the installation of the largest underground cellar in the region. The wine is blended and aged for 12-16 months in 50% new oak.

I have recently tasted the 2005 vintage and below is my tasting note:

This 2005 is of acceptable quality with reasonably intense nose of fair complexity, showing black cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant, forest floor, liquorice, cedar and cocoa. The tannin is a bit dusty in texture, though overall it shows typical Bordeaux characters with a reasonable palate of some complexity, with black cherry, blackberry, plum, cedar and cocoa. Reasonable in length, it is ready to drink now and not intend for further ageing, but can maintain for another 2-3 years.