| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
That is fantastic on the nose. OMG! Exuberant aromas of lavender, tobacco, cigar box, violets and slice plums. Medium to full body. It just builds on the palate and goes on forever. Speechless. Such finesse and beauty. Just a hint of spices. What a glorious, hyper-classic wine. Coup de foudre!
Deep garnet-brick in color, the 2014 Lafleur needs a lot of swirling to coax out subtle scents of forest floor, menthol, and baked cherries, with emerging suggestions of iron ore, incense, and potpourri. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with seductive red and black berry preserves layers, framed by firm, rounded tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and minerally.
Tasted blind. A little pinched and tight. Decidedly austere. Youthful. It may get there in the end...
Drink 2025-2040
With its high percentage of Cabernet Franc, Lafleur is unique among Pomerol properties. It's also a Bordeaux that has as much in common with Burgundy as it does with its peers. Floral, scented and ethereal, the 2014 has finesse and sweetness, super fine tannins, incredible length and notes of raspberry and green herbs. Utterly delicious, even at this young age.
The 2014 Lafleur has a lucid hue. The bouquet bides its time, gradually unfolding with scents of raspberry coulis, blackberry, black truffle and just a faint hint of dark chocolate, all beautifully defined and yet you know it is keeping something in reserve. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin. There is that backbone, which of course you expect with this Pomerol, but also a sense of refinement and poise, a seam of spiciness that develops with time in the glass that prolongs the finish. No, it is not the greatest Lafleur that I have tasted. It's just a really great Pomerol that will give many years of pleasure. Drink Date 2024-2050
The Château Lafleur 2014 is a blend of 44% Merlot picked on 25 September and 56% Cabernet Franc picked on 5 and 6 October, the yields coming in at 28 hectoliters per hectare. Bright purple in color, the bouquet is pixelated. It is decidedly neither powerful or voluminous but instead very subtle and reflects its terroir, hints of sous-bois and truffle filtering through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine, very precise tannin and nigh on perfect acidity. There is the trademark Lafleur structure and sense of "authority" here, perhaps a little more salinity emerging towards the finish compared to other vintages with a touch of spice right on the finish. It will require the patience of a saint, at least a decade in the cellar, but it will reward you with something heavenly. Drink: 2019 - 2045
This is very tight and chewy with polished and intense tannins. Full-bodied with blueberries, blackberries, minerals and fine tannins. This is more Pauillac than many top Pauillac estates. Cabernet franc always makes the quality here and it's 56% this year. Rest is merlot. Superb.
17.5++
Bright crimson. Healthy looking. Opulent and very rich. With the real tension and breadth of old Ch Lafleur. Though tighter than the old guard. Very tight for the moment.
17++
44% Merlot, 56% Cabernet Franc.
Bright red. Very savoury and lively on the nose. Very neat and precise and so bright and confident. Not heavy at all - just perfect prettiness. Very pretty and fresh. Long. Baptiste thinks it's more Lafleur than 2014. Pretty cherry flavours. Not big and dramatic at all. Very fresh and precise after something a little bonbon-like. Just a little dry on the end at the moment. 13.8%
Drink 2021-2033
