Chateau Lafleur - Pomerol 2018

Price: $1899.99

Qty:   Add to Cart

Producer	Chateau Lafleur
Country	France
Region	Bordeaux
Subregion	Pomerol
Varietal	Merlot
Vintage	2018
Sku	12016126
Size	750ml

 

D

97

V

97

The first thing to say about the 2018 Lafleur is that it is completely different from the Les Pensées and in fact is more similar to Guinaudeau’s Les Perrières, which is unsurprising given that both come from stony soils (limestone there, gravel here) whereas Les Pensées comes from more clayey soils. This has a very refined bouquet, the blue fruit that I picked up from barrel receding to make way for more red fruit, cranberry and even touches of pomegranate. Monitoring this half-bottle over 24 hours, the Pomerol traits of black truffle and a faint scent of morels gradually emerge. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins that frame the red berry fruit. The Bouchet (Cabernet Franc), which comprises 54% of the blend, imparts a wonderful peppery note that lingers 45 seconds after the wine has exited, the tongue tingling long after it says goodbye. At just under 15% alcohol, one might expect a little warmth on the finish, but it is not detectable. A superb Lafleur, albeit one that will demand several years’ cellaring.

- By Neal Martin on January 2021

"This is an extremely impressive wine, expressing both an earthiness and a tingle of slate minerality and mouthwatering salinity that is more unusual in Pomerol than in neighbouring St-Emilion. This is extremely closed right now, with Cabernet Franc very much taking the lead. Plenty of nuance, depth and layers with cool blueberry and cassis fruits. The iris and peony florality comes out after a good 20 minutes in the glass, and the density picks up also, with anis, soy sauce and smoke. Intense and powerful, this has a sense of energy and is going to age so incredibly." 

-Jane Anson November 2020