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Lafleur 2010

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Franc

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Tasting Notes

This red shows such beautiful and ripe aromas of blackberries, orange peel, hazelnuts, and tropical fruits. It's full-bodied, with superb texture of polished tannins that are velvety. The length last for minutes. It's muscular yet elegant. It flexes it muscle yet pulls them back. What gorgeous tone to this young red. Try in 2020.

100
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2013

The 2010 Lafleur is showing a lot of Cabernet Franc on the nose. It is supremely well defined with incredibly clarity and terroir expression. You could almost mistake it for a Left Bank. Figeac? The palate is precise and detailed, touches of burnt toast and white pepper sprinkled over the persistent and structured finish that does not miss a step. Brilliant. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. Drink 2030-2075.

98
Neal Martin, vinous.com, April 2020

Made of 62% Cabernet Franc and 38% Merlot, the deep garnet colored 2010 Lafleur features cedar chest and kirsch notes to begin, unfurling to offer baked plums, boysenberries, sandalwood and licorice scents plus a waft of pencil lead. Full-bodied, the palate is very taut and muscular, with slowly maturing red and black fruits and a solid frame of firm, ripe, grainy tannins, finishing long and mineral laced. Drink 2020-2052.

98
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (March 2020), March 2020

As for the Lafleur itself, their 2010 is another fabulous wine from this extraordinary terroir. Composed of 62% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot (identical to what I saw early on), this wine is tightly knit and built for the long haul. Neither is it as exuberant nor as opulent as the 2009 was showing at a similar stage of its life. In stylistic terms, it is more along the lines of a more modern-day 2000 . Deep ruby/purple, with sweet black raspberry and black cherry fruit as well as hints of forest floor, licorice and crushed rock, this wine has superb texture and a full-bodied mouthfeel - then the tannins kick in. This is a powerful, backward wine, and despite its elegance and precision, it needs at least a decade of cellaring. It is slightly more reserved and tannic than I remember it from barrel, but it is locked and loaded with potential. Forget it for a decade a drink it over the following 30-40 years.

96+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013

62% Cabernet Franc, first time they've had such a high proportion! 60% of the production. Deep crimson. Savoury and dense and very clarety. Very pure and natural. 'We did practically nothing, no extraction techniques needed.' Really fine and racy and dry and minerally but not drying on the end. One of the future. Polished. Lip smacking. Dry finish but very rich in Pomerol way. Long. Real tension. A little lighter than Pétrus but lovely stuff, just a bit tarry on the finish. Very stimulating rather than a relaxing drink. 14.2%

18
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2011

After Le Pin, probably Bordeaux's biggest name "cult wine". Tiny production levels and a long pedigree of great quality ensure that collectors fight for an allocation every year. Very limited availability. Not tasted by us.

Farr Vintners, April 2011

Magnificent wine - structured, fine, cerebral. 62% Cabernet Franc - the highest recorded. Refined, complex nose (violet, berry, 'cacao' notes). Palate fresh and lively. Tannins plentiful but precise. Superb length on the finish. Drink 2022-2060.

19.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2011
Read more tasting notes...

The Lafleur 2010 is more backward and laconic on the nose than the Petrus '10 tasted blind alongside, with broody earthy black fruit, hints of cedar and dried herbs. It is not as generous or as seductive as its peers, but it is very complex. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, a huge structure and a dense finish laced with white pepper. Backward and broody, dry on the finish with a long savoury tail, this is a quintessential Lafleur that does not quite match the 2009, although it is not far off. Tasted January 2014.

97
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2014

This tiny estate, run by the Guinaudeau family, has produced a 2010 Lafleur with the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc that they believe the estate has ever used (62% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot). An intense wine with sweet tannin, a dark ruby purple color, and pure black raspberry and cherry fruit, as well as hints of crushed rock and underlying subtle floral notes, the oak (which is never more than one-third) is completely concealed by the wine-s intensity. In spite of its power, great texture, and richness, the overall impression is one of elegance and freshness. The tannins seems sweet, but I suspect this wine will shut down and not be drinkable for at least 7-8 years but keep for 30-40.

95/98
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Bottled the previous May, the Lafleur 2010 has a classic, tertiary nose that unfurls slowly in the glass. It is surprisingly understated and is perhaps a little subdued after bottling, but it gradually reveals blackberry, briary, wild hedgerow and smoke. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm backbone. It is very fresh and similar to Petrus it displays the "mannerisms" of a Left Bank Pauillac. The tannins are strict and linear, the fruit dark and broody at the moment. There is a citric thread that runs from start to finish, whilst the finish is foursquare and slightly aloof. This is a serious, long-term Lafleur, but not as approachable as the 2009. Every bottle should come with free 14th century Scottish castle cellar and a 20-year padlock. Tasted November 2012.

97
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, February 2013

A blend of 62% Cabernet Franc and 38% Merlot cropped on 2nd and 3rd October and 22nd, 23rd and 28th September. The pH is 15% lower than in 2009 and the regular water and no excesses in temperature. Higher hydric stress that stopped the ripening and lowered the final alcohol levels (around 14%.) The nose is quite muted at first with earthy, mulberry notes at first, a touch of crushed flowers and espresso. Very fine definition. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine chalky tannins, a great sense of tension here, the acidity lending tension and poise, crushed stone towards the finish with a touch of nascent hardness that should dissipate by the time of bottling. Long in the mouth, a little masculine as usual…but a "true" Lafleur. Tasted April 2011.

96/98
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2011

Very powerful wine with loads of Cabernet Franc character with dark fruits, blueberry and hints of spices. Licorice and flowers. Full and very powerful, intense is the word. It?s like a first growth from Paulliac. Incredible. Extreme, almost severe in style yet fabulous. 62 percent Cabernet Franc and 36 percent Merlot.

99/100
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2011
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.