Lafleur
Since 2000 Chateau Lafleur has rivaled Petrus for top Pomerol. Their rising reputation is closely linked to significant praise from Robert Parker. They’ve developed special practices to get the best out of their unique soil, which gives their wine great character.
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Jeb Dunnuck (100)
If tasting the 2019 Château Lafleur doesn't just blow you away, I'm not sure what will. A perfect wine, if such a thing exists, it offers such a complex, singular profile in its black raspberries, kirsch liqueur, licorice, exotic flowers, white truffles, and sandalwood. On the palate, it has serious structure, yet the tannins build with time in the glass, and the mid-palate density and balance are so flawlessly integrated, you have to actually hunt for the structure. Pure, sensationally rich, and at the same time elegant, with awesome depth of fruit, this is what wine dreams are made of. It might be the finest young wine to ever pass my lips. It needs a solid decade of bottle age, 15 years would be even better (it will still blow your mind any time over the coming decade), and it will evolve gracefully over the following 30-40 years.$4,195.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
If tasting the 2019 Château Lafleur doesn't just blow you away, I'm not sure what will. A perfect wine, if such a thing exists, it offers such a complex, singular profile in its black raspberries, kirsch liqueur, licorice, exotic flowers, white truffles, and sandalwood. On the palate, it has serious structure, yet the tannins build with time in the glass, and the mid-palate density and balance are so flawlessly integrated, you have to actually hunt for the structure. Pure, sensationally rich, and at the same time elegant, with awesome depth of fruit, this is what wine dreams are made of. It might be the finest young wine to ever pass my lips. It needs a solid decade of bottle age, 15 years would be even better (it will still blow your mind any time over the coming decade), and it will evolve gracefully over the following 30-40 years.$10,105.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
One of the wines of the vintage, but likely to prove slower evolving and more introverted than its 2019 counterpart, the 2020 Lafleur unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, raspberries, kirsch, black truffle, orange zest and vine smoke. Full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, it's deep and concentrated, with a tightly wound core of fruit framed by rich, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. This is another magical bottle from an estate that just seems to do everything right.$966.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
One of the wines of the vintage, but likely to prove slower evolving and more introverted than its 2019 counterpart, the 2020 Lafleur unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, raspberries, kirsch, black truffle, orange zest and vine smoke. Full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, it's deep and concentrated, with a tightly wound core of fruit framed by rich, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. This is another magical bottle from an estate that just seems to do everything right.$2,820.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
One of the wines of the vintage, but likely to prove slower evolving and more introverted than its 2019 counterpart, the 2020 Lafleur unwinds in the glass with aromas of cherries, raspberries, kirsch, black truffle, orange zest and vine smoke. Full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, it's deep and concentrated, with a tightly wound core of fruit framed by rich, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. This is another magical bottle from an estate that just seems to do everything right.$6,890.00 -
(3x150cl) 2022The Wine Cellar Insider (100)
Blackberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, chocolate, cherries, liqueur, and a cornucopia of floral aromas build with each swirl and sniff. The palate offers intensity, opulence, power, depth, and viscosity. The levels of depth and concentration are off the charts, leaving you with an unctuous, seamless finish that leaves the 60-second mark in the rearview mirror. Like all great Lafleur vintages, this has almost unlimited aging potential, yet the wine can be enjoyed after about 5 years of bottle age. The wine blends 51% Cabernet Franc and 49% Merlot. 14.5% ABV.$7,990.00 -
(1x75cl) 2018Jeb Dunnuck (95)
The 2018 Les Perrières de Lafleur comes from a massal selection of vines from Château Lafleur planted on the clay and limestone soils in Fronsac. Based on 51% Cabernet Franc and 49% Merlot aged 15 months in one-third new French oak, it has a stately, regal style offering medium to full-bodied richness, notes of blackcurrant, black cherries, graphite, chalky minerality, white truffle, and violets, a broad, expansive mouthfeel, and building tannins. It shares a similar elegance and seamlessness with its Pomerol counterpoint, yet the high percentage of Cabernet Franc and different terroir give it a style all its own. It's a beautiful wine that needs 2-4 years of bottle age and will evolve for 15+ years. As I wrote after tasting it from barrel, if you find a bottle, you should buy it!$117.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
The 2018 Les Perrières de Lafleur comes from a massal selection of vines from Château Lafleur planted on the clay and limestone soils in Fronsac. Based on 51% Cabernet Franc and 49% Merlot aged 15 months in one-third new French oak, it has a stately, regal style offering medium to full-bodied richness, notes of blackcurrant, black cherries, graphite, chalky minerality, white truffle, and violets, a broad, expansive mouthfeel, and building tannins. It shares a similar elegance and seamlessness with its Pomerol counterpoint, yet the high percentage of Cabernet Franc and different terroir give it a style all its own. It's a beautiful wine that needs 2-4 years of bottle age and will evolve for 15+ years. As I wrote after tasting it from barrel, if you find a bottle, you should buy it!$213.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
The 2018 Les Perrières de Lafleur comes from a massal selection of vines from Château Lafleur planted on the clay and limestone soils in Fronsac. Based on 51% Cabernet Franc and 49% Merlot aged 15 months in one-third new French oak, it has a stately, regal style offering medium to full-bodied richness, notes of blackcurrant, black cherries, graphite, chalky minerality, white truffle, and violets, a broad, expansive mouthfeel, and building tannins. It shares a similar elegance and seamlessness with its Pomerol counterpoint, yet the high percentage of Cabernet Franc and different terroir give it a style all its own. It's a beautiful wine that needs 2-4 years of bottle age and will evolve for 15+ years. As I wrote after tasting it from barrel, if you find a bottle, you should buy it!$328.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2019 Les Perrières, is driven by strong Franc inflections. Mocha, dried flowers, lavender, rose petal and spice lend gorgeous aromatic intensity throughout. Clean veins of saline minerality from these limestone-rich soils give the 2019 a real sense of energy that is absolutely compelling. This is such a gorgeous wine. I would give the 2019 a few years to come together.$107.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2019 Les Perrières, is driven by strong Franc inflections. Mocha, dried flowers, lavender, rose petal and spice lend gorgeous aromatic intensity throughout. Clean veins of saline minerality from these limestone-rich soils give the 2019 a real sense of energy that is absolutely compelling. This is such a gorgeous wine. I would give the 2019 a few years to come together.$307.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2019 Les Perrières, is driven by strong Franc inflections. Mocha, dried flowers, lavender, rose petal and spice lend gorgeous aromatic intensity throughout. Clean veins of saline minerality from these limestone-rich soils give the 2019 a real sense of energy that is absolutely compelling. This is such a gorgeous wine. I would give the 2019 a few years to come together.$357.00 -
(1x75cl) 2020Vinous - Neal Martin (91)
The 2020 Les Perrières de Lafleur is more backward than the 2019 with blackberry and light estuarine scents plus a dab of shucked oyster shell in the background. The palate is beautifully balanced, gentle but firm in terms of grip, with wonderful poise and density on the finish. This will probably require longer in bottle than the previous vintage, but it will reward the patient. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.$106.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (91)
The 2020 Les Perrières de Lafleur is more backward than the 2019 with blackberry and light estuarine scents plus a dab of shucked oyster shell in the background. The palate is beautifully balanced, gentle but firm in terms of grip, with wonderful poise and density on the finish. This will probably require longer in bottle than the previous vintage, but it will reward the patient. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.$556.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (91)
The 2020 Les Perrières de Lafleur is more backward than the 2019 with blackberry and light estuarine scents plus a dab of shucked oyster shell in the background. The palate is beautifully balanced, gentle but firm in terms of grip, with wonderful poise and density on the finish. This will probably require longer in bottle than the previous vintage, but it will reward the patient. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.$251.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (91)
The 2020 Les Perrières de Lafleur is more backward than the 2019 with blackberry and light estuarine scents plus a dab of shucked oyster shell in the background. The palate is beautifully balanced, gentle but firm in terms of grip, with wonderful poise and density on the finish. This will probably require longer in bottle than the previous vintage, but it will reward the patient. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.$328.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The cooler vintage has lent the 2021 Les Perrières de Lafleur an even greater sense of transparency than preceding vintages, even if this bottling has always had a remarkably pronounced site signature. Unfurling in the glass with deep aromas of raspberries, plums, Indian spices, burning embers and licorice, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with beautifully refined tannins, lively acids and an intensely mineral finish.$290.00 -
Wine Spectator (94)
Has lovely blackberry, milk chocolate and blueberry. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and a long, caressing finish. Balanced and refined, with beautiful tannins. Wonderful length and finesse. Best after 2011. -JS$1,445.00 -
(6x75cl) 2009James Suckling (95)
A wine, with beautiful flowers, hazelnut and chocolate and dark fruits. It is dense and tight with beautiful quality of tannins. Goes on and on. Texture is amazing. Don't miss it. Second wine of Pomerol's legendary Lafleur. Try in 2016.$1,440.00 -
James Suckling (92-93)
This is very minerally with a peach stone and brambleberry character. Full body, with delicately chewy tannins and a long length. Very refined. Very well done for the second wine of Lafleur that made a top 2011. 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc.$613.00 -
Vinous - Neal Martin (90)
The 2012 Pensées de Lafleur comes across a little bretty on the nose, and this obscures some of the terroir expression. I would have liked more complexity here. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, solid with good grip, yet it lacks a bit of charm (not that this Pomerol seems overly concerned). Is it holding something back or just a bit too serious? Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.$894.00 -
(1x75cl) 2013Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90-92)
The 2013 Pensées de Lafleur is expressive, classy and polished to the core. Dark red cherry, plum, spices, menthol all meld together in a resonant, expressive, mid-weight wine long on personality. All the elements fall into place in a gorgeous Pensées with tons of near and medium-term appeal. In this vintage, the Pensées includes fruit from about 400 plants that are typically used for the Grand Vin.$110.00 -
(6x75cl) 2014Vinous - Neal Martin (91)
The 2014 Pensées de Lafleur is showing a touch of greenness on the nose, although I found it well defined and offering attractive tobacco and cigar box notes with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. There is satisfying fruit concentration here, a fine bead of acidity and a harmonious, lightly spiced finish that lingers in the mouth. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.$1,060.00 -
(1x75cl) 2015Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2015 Pensées de Lafleur has a clean and precise, mineral-driven bouquet that is razor-sharp. It feels tightly wound but the focus is certainly here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, plenty of cedar and tobacco-tinged black fruit with a truffle and smoke infused finish that feels very long. Excellent. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.$182.00 -
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (95)
A touch of gunsmoke reduction on opening, clearing to show superb dark fruit character, fragrant floral aromatics and a ton of luscious juicy tannins. This is right up there, vying for its place alongside many 1st wine 2016s in Pomerol that I have tasted today. Absolutely delicious, so creamy and yet so taut, hawthorn, cassis, black cherry and grilled vanilla bean. In a sweet spot but will age. Baptiste and Julie Guinaudeau owners.$256.00 -
(6x75cl) 2017Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
The 2017 Pensées de Lafleur is simply stunning. Tasting it today, I can only conclude that Pensées is obviously more complete and enthralling than many Grand Vins in this vintage. Explosive, deep and beautifully resonant, the Pensées shows tremendous depth and energy, not to mention so much character. What else can I say, except that I absolutely loved it.$966.00 -
(1x75cl) 2019Jeb Dunnuck (95)
The 2019 Pensées De Lafleur is the second wine of Château Lafleur, but instead of being a declassification, it comes from a narrow band of deeper clay soils that run diagonally through this magical vineyard. Always close to an even split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot (although I suspect there's more Cabernet Franc in this blend), it has a deeper, blacker fruited style compared to the Grand Vin, with beautiful notes of black cherries, currants, damp earth, iron, and smoked tobacco. Beautiful on the palate as well, it's medium to full-bodied, rich, nicely concentrated, and beautifully balanced on the palate, and while it might not hit the magical status of the top wine, it's a singular, beautiful wine in its own right that goes well beyond a second wine. It will keep for 20-25 years.$177.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (95)
The 2019 Pensées De Lafleur is the second wine of Château Lafleur, but instead of being a declassification, it comes from a narrow band of deeper clay soils that run diagonally through this magical vineyard. Always close to an even split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot (although I suspect there's more Cabernet Franc in this blend), it has a deeper, blacker fruited style compared to the Grand Vin, with beautiful notes of black cherries, currants, damp earth, iron, and smoked tobacco. Beautiful on the palate as well, it's medium to full-bodied, rich, nicely concentrated, and beautifully balanced on the palate, and while it might not hit the magical status of the top wine, it's a singular, beautiful wine in its own right that goes well beyond a second wine. It will keep for 20-25 years.$1,015.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021Jeb Dunnuck (94)
Stunning stuff, the 2021 Château Lafleur Les Pensées has the classic Pomerol sexiness and opulence that defines the vintage. Redcurrants, ripe red fruit, spice, chocolate, and a beautiful sense of minerality and earth all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, with round, supple tannins, beautiful purity, and a gorgeous finish. It's the second wine of this estate but as good as just about every Grand Vin out there.$1,005.00
