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La Fleur Pétrus 2009

Tasting Notes

Even with considerable youthful characteristics, this stunning, open-knit 2009 is quite approachable. This fabled terroir sandwiched between Petrus and Lafleur (hence the name) generally produces one of the more elegantly-styled Pomerols, but in 2009 it offers an extra dimension of flavor intensity as well as more texture and concentration. It reveals a super-seductive perfume of mocha, loamy soil, herbs, black cherries and black currants, truffles and licorice, full body and velvety tannins. The overall impression is one of intensity, power, glycerin and richness as well as undeniable elegance and laser-like focus. This 2009 can be drunk now or cellared for another 25-30+ years.

97
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, March 2012

The 2009 La Fleur-Pétrus has been rather inconsistent from bottle to bottle, occasionally stunning and other times, merely great. Here it has a sweet and quite vanillary bouquet with plenty of new oak, although it seems simpatico with the fruit. The palate is rounded and plush on the entry, velvety smooth with plenty of blackberry, raspberry and soy notes towards the finish. The acidity is well judged although I would have liked more persistence. I feel this is probably a representative bottle. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. 2020 - 2039

93
Neal Martin, vinous.com, March 2019

A wine that is extremely perfumed, with flowers and berries and hints of minerals. Chili. Full-bodied, with ultra-fine tannins. Muscular and powerful. Goes on and on. The finish is wonderful. Needs at least five or six years of bottle age. Try in 2018.

97
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2012

Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2009 la Fleur-Pétrus rolls out of the glass with sensuous kirsch, black cherry preserves and chocolate box scents with touches of unsmoked cigars, dried mint and star anise. Full-bodied, rich and opulently fruited in the mouth, it has beautiful red fruit sparks and a finely grained frame, finishing long and lively. 2020 - 2045.

97
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, March 2019

Bright, deep crimson. Polished, scented, quite concentrated. Just a little inky. Lots of substance and classic interest. Real density. Chewy finish. Solid quality that recalls older vintages. Date tasted 30th March 2010. Drink 2017-2032.

17+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2010

This famous Pomerol property has been run by the Moueix family (of Petrus) since the 1950's and produces a wine that is always a classic of the appellation and keenly sought-after. Ripe and plummy with a hint of prunes and figs but (as with all the Moueix wines) impeccably balanced with crunchy ripe tannins. Lovely poise, long, impressive and very classy

94
Farr Vintners, November 2009

Densely packed and rather backward, displaying charcoal and apple wood notes in front of the core of dense roasted fig, macerated plum and steeped cherry fruit. The long finish is well-studded with toasted spice and tobacco hints. Terrific underlying grip for the cellar. Best from 2014 through 2030. From France.-J.M.

97
James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Insider (Vol 8, 3), January 2012

The nose is fleshed out with powerful ripe black fruits and they give a lush feel to the palate. The sweetness is not over jammy as underpinning is bilberry and red cherry refreshing both mid and back palate. Drink 2018-2040.

89/93
Derek Smedley MW, April 2010

One of a number of very good to outstanding wines chez JP Moueix in 2009, this is a very impressive La Fleur. Deeply coloured, aromatic and slightly spicy, with great texture, integrated tannins, fresh acidity and considerable length. A wine that gets better and better in the glass and doesn't rely on over-extraction or alcohol for effect. 15+ years.

96
Tim Atkin MW, April 2010

Fine, fragrant. Seduces by its elegance. Silky, smooth tannins provide length and persistence. Ripe and warm but balanced. Drink 2018-2035.

17.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2010

Brimming with blackberry and sandalwood aromas this is a very seductive 2009. On the palate this is self-confidently dry, sleeker and more linear than the nose suggests. Very firm finish for a Pomerol of this age. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)

95
Stuart Pigott, JamesSuckling.com, March 2019
Read more tasting notes...

A mind-boggling effort, this is the finest La Fleur Petrus I have ever tasted. Layers and layers of black raspberry and black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, truffles, and earth are found in this dense ruby/purple-colored elixir. With extraordinary purity, decent acidity, melted tannins, and massive fruit along with elegance and precision, it should drink well for three decades or more. It is an amazing effort! Bravo to Christian Moueix and his team. (Tasted once.)

Robert Parker added an asterisk to this wine score to signify that it is a wine he considers has the finest potential of all the offerings he has ever tasted from this estate in nearly 32 years of barrel tasting samples in Bordeaux.

96/98+
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (188), April 2010

Tasted at JP Moueix. Like Latour-à-Pomerol, this has a ripe, exuberant, extrovert bouquet with lively red-berried fruit, touches of dried apricot, Seville orange and even a subtle note of marmalade. The palate has a supple entry, just a little disjointed at the moment, coalescing more towards the linear finish, a citric thread running through the sweet red fruit, focused on the coca-tinged finish. Tasted April 2010.

90/92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2010

From Robert Parker's Hong Kong Tasting, 8th Nov 2011:
This is very ripe with loads of sweet fruit with dark and milk chocolate, berries, but then turns to black olives. It's full and compacted with fabulously fine tannins and a terrific finish. It's subtle and very, very long. Perfection? Try after 2020

99+
James Suckling, Wine Advocate, November 2011

Licorice, blackberry, coffee bean and blueberry aromas; this gets more complex with every sniff. And what a palate. It's so polished, soft and cuddly. Like curling up in a big cashmere blanket. Full-bodied, yet balanced and fresh. Lots of tannins. But all in harmony. Hidden giant here.

95/98
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2010
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.