Château Lafleur 2020
In the place called Lafleur on the plateau of Pomerol, this small estate of 4.5 hectares of vines in a single block. Château Lafleur, a brilliant and premonitory idea.
The complexity of the wines of Château Lafleur is first of all linked to its vineyard. The vines of Château Lafleur are planted on three very different soils:
- To the northwest, Lafleur's sandy-clay gravel,
- To the south and east, the clayey gravel of Lafleur,
- In the heart of the vineyard, the gravelly sands of Lafleur.
Let's mention the grape variety which, with a parity of Bouchets and Merlots, contributes greatly to the style of Château Lafleur. On this subject, the genetic heritage of Château Lafleur is invaluable, especially in Bouchets.
By Neal Martin / Vinous - Décembre 2022
The 2020 Lafleur is raised in 30% new oak, the rest, for the first time, used at Grand Village for 8 months to reduce the oak influence and season the barrel. (In fact, Jacques Guinaudeau did this in the past). It was bottled in April 2022 after two months settling in large stainless-steel. It has a showstopping nose with stunning delineation and terroir expression.
There is a strong mineralité that floods through on the nose, something almost…igneous about the aromas, struck flint and that basalt element that I observed out of barrel. It's a very striking, uncompromising bouquet that expands with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine yet sturdy tannins, intense black fruit intermixed with dark chocolate that ebbs with aeration, revealing more floral aromas after 20 minutes.
There is a sense of symmetry on the finish and an extraordinary long aftertaste, while all the time, retaining freshness and vitality.
Just wonderful.
By Antonio Galloni / Vinous - Décembre 2022
The 2020 Lafleur takes all the elements of this site and dials them up. All of the natural richness and textural intensity of the year comes through in a decidedly flamboyant, opulent Lafleur. It's an immediate Lafleur, that much is obvious.
I imagine the classic Lafleur bouquet will develop in bottle, as aeration starts to release some of the classic Bouchet (Cabernet Franc) notes that are such signatures. Today, the sumptuousness of Merlot really drives the wines' balance, with the Bouchet felt mostly in the structural profile.
I can't wait to see how this ages.
Data sheet
- Designation
- Pomerol
- Year
- 2020
- Color
- Red
- Acceptance
- 54 % Merlot, 46 % Bouchet
- Alcohol level
- 14°5
- Apogee
- 2030 - 2060
Jean-Marc Quarin / Quarin.com - Noté 100/100 (march 2023)
Antonio Galloni / Vinous - Noté 98+/100 (february 2023)
Jane Anson / Janeanson.com - Noté 98/100 (february 2023)
Jeb Dunnuck / Jebdunnuck.com - Noté 98+/100 (march 2023)
William Keller / Wine Advocate - Noté 99/100 (april 2023)
Lisa Perrotti-Brown / Thé Wine Independent - Noté 98/100 (march 2023)