Château Franc-Cardinal
Château Franc-Cardinal produces wine in Francs – Côtes de Bordeaux, a compact appellation within the Côtes de Bordeaux region east of the city. The estate's flagship red blends Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot—a composition that reflects the right-bank terroir's mineral soils and moderate continental influence. Malbec, often overlooked in Bordeaux's shadow, brings structure and dark fruit depth here; Cabernet Franc contributes herbaceous tension and fine tannins; Merlot rounds the blend with mid-palate weight. The resulting wine sits at the intersection of Bordeaux's classical restraint and the bolder expression possible in this less-heralded corner of the region. Wine Enthusiast has rated the estate's output, recognizing the quality achieved in this understated appellation.
Critics
Wine Enthusiast