2002 Fleur Cardinale

Red-ruby. Captivating nose melds raspberry, minerals and violet. Sweet and silky but penetrating, with sexy flavors of dark berries and minerals. Juicy, firmly built and nicely delineated, but not a particularly sweet style. Finishes with dusty, firm tannins and very good persistence. The vines here face north/northwest.

Spicy, herbal notes along with new saddle leather, meat, black cherry, and currant scents are present in this medium-weight, well-made, attractive 2002. It will drink well for 6-10 years.

Red-ruby. Pungent aromas of raspberry liqueur, cocoa powder and woodsmoke. Sweet and juicy on the palate, with enticing flavors of raspberry, brown spices and cocoa powder. With its moderate flesh, the tannins show a slight dry edge. But this is a tasty wine.