At A Glance
- Field
- Detail
- Place
- Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, south of Saint-Émilion
- Appellation
- Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
- Main grapes
- Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
- Signature wine
- Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Château Palais Cardinal, 2019
- Defining feature
- A name associated with a 13th-century residence and the Cardinal Palace's cask cellar
The Producer
At 9 rue des Acacias in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, south of Saint-Émilion, Château Palais Cardinal works a 26 hectare vineyard for Saint-Émilion Grand Cru red wine. The estate produces approximately 60,000 bottles annually. Merlot leads the planting, supported by Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The estate's name is associated with a 13th-century Saint-Émilion residence and Cardinal Gaillard de la Motte. Château Palais Cardinal carries that historical name into a modern red wine estate.
Place
Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens lies south of Saint-Émilion, with the estate located at 9 rue des Acacias. The 2019 wine carries the name Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Château Palais Cardinal and is a red wine.
Story
The estate's name reaches back to a 13th-century Saint-Émilion residence associated with Cardinal Gaillard de la Motte. In 1947, Monsieur Frétier acquired the property and renamed it Château Palais Cardinal in reference to the Cardinal Palace's cask cellar.
Louis Ballande acquired the estate in 2018. The team operates in partnership with oenologist Thomas Duclos, bringing a contemporary viticultural direction to the property while retaining its historical name.
Wines
The primary wine is the red Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Château Palais Cardinal. The 2019 vintage comprises 73% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc, at 13.5% alcohol. Merlot forms the central part of the blend, with the two Cabernet varieties providing the remaining proportion.
Le Palatin and Château Palais Cardinal La Fuie are also named releases from the estate.
Final Word
Château Palais Cardinal is a Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens estate whose red Saint-Émilion Grand Cru carries a name drawn from the Cardinal Palace's cask cellar.