France

Merlot

Cabernet Franc

Ch. Lafleur

Pensees de Lafleur Pomerol

Bordeaux

Pomerol

A blend of 59% Merlot and 41% Cabernet Franc (Bouchet), the 2021 Pensees de Lafleur is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of shaking to wake up scents of juicy black cherries, raspberry preserves, and mulberries, opening out to reveal notes of allspice, red roses, and garrigue, plus a hint of bay leaves. Medium-bodied, the palate is tight-knit and refreshing, delivering an impressive intensity of mineral-laced, red berry flavors and soft, rounded tannins, finishing on a persistent, chalky note.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Unusually welcoming for a 2021, with red roses and peony aromatics. It has connected more squarely with its usual character after ageing, and is now showing the supple and enticing tannins of the châtaeu, with an expansion through the mid palate. Red cherry, pomegranta and blackberry fruit, with earth, iron, pomegranate, slate and lemongrass. No chaptilisation. Harvest September 28 to October 2. Merlot-dominant on clay-sand-gravel, classic Pomerol terroir.

Inside Bordeaux

Høy konsentrasjon på aroma med moden frukt, blomster og urter. Underliggende noter av kaffe og krydder. Moden og mørk på stil med saftig ankomst, velbalansert og frisk midt med rik og lang avslutning.

WSET Diploma

Deep garnet-purple colored. Sashays out with bold notes of raspberry coulis, black cherries, and mulberries, leading to hints of forest floor, crushed rocks, and lavender oil. The medium-bodied palate is bright and shimmery with layers of red berries and mineral, framed by super-silky tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and layered.

Unusually high Merlot for Pensees, this combines gorgeously rich texture with mouthwatering salinity on the finish, moving through plump and plus black cherry and raspberry fruit. The team here always knows how to skilfully construct a wine, and this picks up concentrated notes of fennel and mint that raise the game. 25% new oak for ageing.

A blend of 57% Merlot and 43% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc), the 2022 Pensees de Lafleur is deep garnet-purple in color. It comes barreling out with powerful notes of wild blueberries, juicy black plums, and boysenberries, leading to wafts of Sichuan pepper, tar, and black olives. The full-bodied palate is packed with rich, black fruits, framed by firm, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and earthy.

A blend of 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 Pensees de Lafleur comes from the clay plots in the Lafleur vineyard. Deep purple-black in color, it is a little subdued to start, requiring a good shake to wake up notes of licorice, chargrill, fertile loam, and dark chocolate, giving way to a core of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and cast-iron pan. The palate is full-bodied and densely packed with layer upon layer of black and blue fruit accented by earthy and mineral nuances. It is framed with exquisitely ripe tannins and lovely freshness to restrain the opulent fruit, and finishes on a lingering ferrous note.

The 2019 Pensees de Lafleur is made from 55% Merlot and 45% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc). Deep garnet-purple in color, it is a little closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal notes of tar, crushed rocks, and black olives over a core of prunes and blackberry preserves. The full-bodied palate is rich, concentrated, and seductive with a velvety texture and long ferrous-laced finish.

The 2018 Pensees de Lafleur is deep garnet purple in color. It delivers notes of stewed cherries, prunes, and Christmas pudding, with wafts of anise, smoked meats, and tobacco. Full-bodied, the palate is rich and concentrated with plush tannins and soft acidity, finishing long and spicy. 

Vibrant, smoky, toasted coffee beans and plump raspberry and black cherry fruits, truffle and liquorice, on the edge of fleshy in this hot year, but pulling back enough to maintain a direct line through the mid palate. 30% new oak. As ever, this takes the idea of a 2nd wine to a whole new level. Guinaudeau family owners.

The 2012 Pensees de Lafleur is medium to deep garnet colored. It opens with a core of prunes and dried figs giving way to rustic notions of sweaty leather and fried herbs plus a medicinal waft. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is firm, chewy, and clumsy, with fading fruit and a hard, rustic finish.