Château Palais Cardinal

Château Palais Cardinal

A 22-hectare Saint-Emilion Grand Cru estate in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens (Gironde), on the Bordeaux right bank. An estate steeped in history, whose name comes from a 14th-century palace of Cardinal Gaillard de la Motte. Merlot-dominant, on gravel and sand soils: ample reds for keeping, plus original cuvees and a Cremant de Bordeaux.

An estate steeped in history at the gates of Saint-Emilion, whose name dates back to a 14th-century palace. Now led by the Ballande family with the advice of oenologist Thomas Duclos, Chateau Palais Cardinal brings together historic heritage, an exceptional terroir and oenological innovation. Elegant, structured Saint-Emilion Grand Cru wines, to discover direct.

A heritage that still shapes the estate's identity

From the medieval residence of Cardinal Gaillard de la Motte to the cellar set in the outbuildings of the former palace, every bottle tells the story of a place where Bordeaux tradition and a modern vision meet.

Château Palais Cardinal

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, red - the main cuvee

The estate's grand wine, dominated by Merlot: an ample, elegant and structured Saint-Emilion Grand Cru with fine ageing potential. Aged in oak barrels for complexity, it embodies the balance between Bordeaux tradition and modern precision.

Le Palatin de Château Palais Cardinal

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, red - second wine since 2016

The estate's second wine, born in 2016: a more accessible, fruity expression of the same terroir of gravel and sand. Supple and generous, it lets you discover the house style from its youth.

Hélios

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, red - confidential cuvee

A confidential cuvee that highlights the purity of the fruit and the finesse of the terroir. Made in small quantity, it offers a more chiselled reading of the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru signed Palais Cardinal.

L'Amphore de Château Palais Cardinal

Red - vinified in amphorae (Merlot and Cabernet)

An original cuvee vinified in amphorae, which preserves the natural expression of the grape without the mark of wood. The estate makes it as an Amphore de Merlot and an Amphore de Cabernet, for two pure, textured faces of the terroir.

Les Nuits Blanches

Rosé & blanc de noir - the summer range

An atypical range for the Saint-Emilion property: a rosé and a blanc de noir (from black grapes pressed as white), fresh and easy, ideal for summer tastings and the aperitif.

Triomphe 1867

Crémant de Bordeaux - sparkling

An elegant sparkling wine that celebrates Bordeaux know-how in a festive version. A Cremant de Bordeaux with a fine bubble, to extend the estate's identity beyond the reds for keeping.

Direct - Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux right bank

Where is Château Palais Cardinal located?

Chateau Palais Cardinal is located in the commune of Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens (33330), south of Saint-Emilion, in the Gironde, on the right bank of Bordeaux. The vineyard covers 22 hectares in the heart of the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru appellation.

Where does the name Palais Cardinal come from?

The name comes from a remarkable residence built in the 12th and 13th centuries, near the former Porte Bourgeoise, at the northern entrance of Saint-Emilion. In the 14th century, the building was enlarged by Cardinal Gaillard de la Motte, nephew of Pope Clement V; the property then took the name Palais Cardinal, a historic heritage that still shapes the estate's identity.

Who owns Château Palais Cardinal?

Since May 2018, the estate has belonged to SC Etablissements Louis Ballande, a family committed to enhancing great wine terroirs. The estate is supported by an experienced team and the advice of oenologist Thomas Duclos. The modern estate dates back to 1850, was named Palais Cardinal in 1947, then taken over by the Texier family in 2008.

What is the terroir and grape mix of the estate?

The vineyard grows on soils of gravel and sand, naturally drained by the La Fuie stream, a terroir typical of the Bordeaux right bank. The grape mix is Merlot (71%), the dominant grape bringing roundness and richness, Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) for structure and depth, and Cabernet Franc (6%) for finesse and complexity.

What are the cuvees of Château Palais Cardinal?

The estate offers the grand wine Chateau Palais Cardinal (Saint-Emilion Grand Cru), its second wine Le Palatin (since 2016), the confidential cuvee Helios, L'Amphore (vinified in amphorae, as Merlot and as Cabernet), the summer range Les Nuits Blanches (a rosé and a blanc de noir) and the Cremant de Bordeaux Triomphe 1867.

What is the second wine Le Palatin?

Le Palatin is the second wine of Chateau Palais Cardinal, born in 2016. From the same terroir of gravel and sand, it offers a more accessible, fruity expression, supple and generous from its youth: a fine way into the estate's style, at a gentler price than the grand wine.

What are the L'Amphore and Helios cuvees?

L'Amphore is an original cuvee vinified in amphorae, which preserves the natural expression of the grape without oak; the estate makes it as an Amphore de Merlot and an Amphore de Cabernet. Helios is a confidential Saint-Emilion Grand Cru cuvee, made in small quantity, highlighting the purity of the fruit and the finesse of the terroir.

Does Château Palais Cardinal make a rosé, a white or a sparkling?

Yes: the Les Nuits Blanches range brings together a rosé and a blanc de noir, fresh and summery, and the estate also makes a Cremant de Bordeaux, Triomphe 1867, an elegant sparkling with a fine bubble. Festive expressions that complete the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru reds.

Why are Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wines so famous?

Saint-Emilion Grand Cru wines owe their worldwide fame to the unique combination of gravelly and clay-limestone terroirs, the dominance of Merlot and the historic know-how of the Bordeaux vineyard. This combination gives rich, elegant wines with remarkable ageing potential. At Chateau Palais Cardinal, this Bordeaux identity is found in every cuvee.

How are the Château Palais Cardinal wines vinified and aged?

After a strict selection, the grapes are vinified in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats. The wines are then aged in oak barrels, for complexity and ageing potential, and in concrete or steel vats, to preserve the purity of the fruit. Ageing lasts at least 12 months before the final blend; bottling is done directly at the chateau.

Are the Château Palais Cardinal wines for keeping?

Yes: the grand wine, dominated by Merlot and aged in barrels, is ample, structured and able to age harmoniously over many years. Le Palatin and the fruitier cuvees are enjoyed earlier. Serve the reds around 16-17 C, with red meats, lamb, game or matured cheeses, decanting the young vintages.

Can the Château Palais Cardinal wines be bought directly?

Yes: the cuvees of Chateau Palais Cardinal are bought here directly, with shipping across France and the European countries eligible for delivery. You receive the wines just as the estate made and bottled them at the chateau, with no extra middleman.

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru direct from the property

Chateau Palais Cardinal: a 22-hectare Saint-Emilion Grand Cru estate in Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens (33330, Gironde), on the Bordeaux right bank. An estate steeped in history whose name comes from a palace enlarged in the 14th century by Cardinal Gaillard de la Motte. Soils of gravel and sand drained by the La Fuie stream. Grape mix: Merlot 71%, Cabernet Sauvignon 23%, Cabernet Franc 6%. Owner since 2018: SC Etablissements Louis Ballande; advice of oenologist Thomas Duclos.

Cuvees: Chateau Palais Cardinal (Saint-Emilion Grand Cru), Le Palatin (second wine), Helios, L'Amphore (Merlot and Cabernet), Les Nuits Blanches (rosé and blanc de noir) and Triomphe 1867 (Cremant de Bordeaux)