Lafleur

Tasting Notes:
A terrific example of Lafleur, the 2006 ,61% Merlot and 39% Cabernet Franc, is almost as good as their brilliant 2005. From yields of 28-32 hectoliters per hectare and a strict selection, proprietor Jacques Guinadeau used most of the young vine production in LafleurÕs second wine, Les Pensees, so there are only 1,000 or so cases of 2006 Lafleur. A noteworthy success, it boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as a sumptuous bouquet of black cherries, kirsch liqueur, licorice, and minerals, sweet tannin, and a medium to full-bodied style. It is reminiscent of a richer, more bulked up, concentrated version of the 1999 or 1995. The 2006 will require a decade of cellaring, and should keep for four decades or more.
Parker Points: 93-95+
Drinking Period: 2019-2059

Tasting Notes:
A terrific example of Lafleur, the 2006 ,61% Merlot and 39% Cabernet Franc, is almost as good as their brilliant 2005. From yields of 28-32 hectoliters per hectare and a strict selection, proprietor Jacques Guinadeau used most of the young vine production in LafleurÕs second wine, Les Pensees, so there are only 1,000 or so cases of 2006 Lafleur. A noteworthy success, it boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as a sumptuous bouquet of black cherries, kirsch liqueur, licorice, and minerals, sweet tannin, and a medium to full-bodied style. It is reminiscent of a richer, more bulked up, concentrated version of the 1999 or 1995. The 2006 will require a decade of cellaring, and should keep for four decades or more.
Parker Points: 93-95+
Drinking Period: 2019-2059

Tasting Notes:
A terrific example of Lafleur, the 2006 ,61% Merlot and 39% Cabernet Franc, is almost as good as their brilliant 2005. From yields of 28-32 hectoliters per hectare and a strict selection, proprietor Jacques Guinadeau used most of the young vine production in LafleurÕs second wine, Les Pensees, so there are only 1,000 or so cases of 2006 Lafleur. A noteworthy success, it boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as a sumptuous bouquet of black cherries, kirsch liqueur, licorice, and minerals, sweet tannin, and a medium to full-bodied style. It is reminiscent of a richer, more bulked up, concentrated version of the 1999 or 1995. The 2006 will require a decade of cellaring, and should keep for four decades or more.
Parker Points: 93-95+
Drinking Period: 2019-2059

Tasting Notes:
A dense ruby/purple color precedes a still monolithic, closed wine with huge tannins as well as massive extract and richness. At this tasting, the 2005 Lafleur was not singing at the profound level I had expected. The classic licorice, kirsch, and truffle notes are evident, and the wine is full-bodied and powerful, but also broodingly backward and nearly inaccessible. It should turn out to be a treasure after 10-15 years of cellaring, and it will keep for 4-5 decades. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2017-2057

Tasting Notes:
A dense ruby/purple color precedes a still monolithic, closed wine with huge tannins as well as massive extract and richness. At this tasting, the 2005 Lafleur was not singing at the profound level I had expected. The classic licorice, kirsch, and truffle notes are evident, and the wine is full-bodied and powerful, but also broodingly backward and nearly inaccessible. It should turn out to be a treasure after 10-15 years of cellaring, and it will keep for 4-5 decades. The Wine Advocate #170 Apr-07.
Parker Points: 95
Drinking Period: 2017-2057

Tasting Notes:
Sadly, there are only 1,000 cases of the brilliant 2004 Lafleur (because of the strict selection implemented by proprietor Jacques Guinaudeau and his son, Baptiste). A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2004 presently possesses a certain austerity, along with fabulous concentration, and intense kirsch liqueur, licorice, truffle, and spice characteristics. Stunningly proportioned, medium to full-bodied, and powerful, it comes across like a modern day version of LafleurÕs brilliant 1979. The aromatics can fill a room, but the tannins kick in in the mouth. Give this Pomerol 5-8 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 25+. The Wine Advocate #171 Jun-07.
Parker Points: 94
Drinking Period: 2012-2037

Tasting Notes:
Sadly, there are only 1,000 cases of the brilliant 2004 Lafleur (because of the strict selection implemented by proprietor Jacques Guinaudeau and his son, Baptiste). A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2004 presently possesses a certain austerity, along with fabulous concentration, and intense kirsch liqueur, licorice, truffle, and spice characteristics. Stunningly proportioned, medium to full-bodied, and powerful, it comes across like a modern day version of LafleurÕs brilliant 1979. The aromatics can fill a room, but the tannins kick in in the mouth. Give this Pomerol 5-8 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 25+. The Wine Advocate #171 Jun-07.
Parker Points: 94
Drinking Period: 2012-2037

Tasting Notes:
I am not surprised the 2000 Lafleur has garnered the magical three-digit score. From bottle, the wine boasts a dense plum/purple color in addition to a gorgeous nose of kirsch liqueur intermixed with hints of black truffles, raspberries, and minerals. The tannin is present, but seems to creep up only upon intense inspection. Lafleur is enormously endowed, rich, and full-bodied, with a tremendous chewiness and, at the same time, sensuality. Pure, massive, and rich, with exceptional levels of glycerin and fruit nearly concealing high levels of tannin, and a 60+ second finish, this is a remarkable achievement, and ... just maybe the finest Lafleur since the 1982. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040+. The Wine Advocate, #146 Apr-03.
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2012-2040

Tasting Notes:
I am not surprised the 2000 Lafleur has garnered the magical three-digit score. From bottle, the wine boasts a dense plum/purple color in addition to a gorgeous nose of kirsch liqueur intermixed with hints of black truffles, raspberries, and minerals. The tannin is present, but seems to creep up only upon intense inspection. Lafleur is enormously endowed, rich, and full-bodied, with a tremendous chewiness and, at the same time, sensuality. Pure, massive, and rich, with exceptional levels of glycerin and fruit nearly concealing high levels of tannin, and a 60+ second finish, this is a remarkable achievement, and ... just maybe the finest Lafleur since the 1982. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040+. The Wine Advocate, #146 Apr-03.
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2012-2040

Tasting Notes:
I am not surprised the 2000 Lafleur has garnered the magical three-digit score. From bottle, the wine boasts a dense plum/purple color in addition to a gorgeous nose of kirsch liqueur intermixed with hints of black truffles, raspberries, and minerals. The tannin is present, but seems to creep up only upon intense inspection. Lafleur is enormously endowed, rich, and full-bodied, with a tremendous chewiness and, at the same time, sensuality. Pure, massive, and rich, with exceptional levels of glycerin and fruit nearly concealing high levels of tannin, and a 60+ second finish, this is a remarkable achievement, and ... just maybe the finest Lafleur since the 1982. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2040+. The Wine Advocate, #146 Apr-03.
Parker Points: 100
Drinking Period: 2012-2040

Tasting Notes:
Sadly, there are only 1,000 cases of the brilliant 2004 Lafleur (because of the strict selection implemented by proprietor Jacques Guinaudeau and his son, Baptiste). A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, the 2004 presently possesses a certain austerity, along with fabulous concentration, and intense kirsch liqueur, licorice, truffle, and spice characteristics. Stunningly proportioned, medium to full-bodied, and powerful, it comes across like a modern day version of LafleurÕs brilliant 1979. The aromatics can fill a room, but the tannins kick in in the mouth. Give this Pomerol 5-8 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 25+. Wine Advocate # 171 Jun 2007
Parker Points: 94
Drinking Period: 2012-2037

Tasting Notes:
If the fruit holds, and this wine does not dry out, it will merit an outstanding score. However, readers need to be cautioned that this is an austere, frightfully tannic Lafleur that is somewhat atypical for this property. The wine is loaded as well as concentrated (dusty black cherry fruit dominates), but from both barrel and bottle it has consistently revealed a hard, astringent edge. It comes across more like a Medoc than a right bank offering. If the fruit holds up, it could turn out spectacular, but the ragged tannin and leathery, dusty components are worrisome. Robert Parker- Wine Advocate
Parker Points: 90
Drinking Period: 2010-2035

Tasting Notes:
This is an awesome Lafleur, but it is also an amazingly backward, tannic monster that will need more cellaring than any Medoc in this vintage. The wine boasts an opaque black/purple color, as well as a closed but promising nose that represents the essence of blackberry, raspberry, and cherry fruit. Intertwined with those aromas is the tell-tale mineral terroir of Lafleur, full body, blistering dry, astringent tannin, and a layered, weighty feel on the palate. This is the kind of young claret that I couldn't wait to rush out and buy two decades ago, but now I have to be content to admire it and wish I were twenty years younger. It is formidable, prodigious, and oh, so promising, but I cannot see it being ready to drink before the end of the second decade of the next century! Wine Advocate #115 February 1998
Parker Points: 93
Drinking Period: 2020-2050