Château Lafleur, Pomerol, 2018

The Guinaudeau's flagship wine is a monumental, grandiose effort. Is it as good as the ethereal 2016? Well time will tell. It's character at this stage is rather different. Whilst the 2016 was suave and elegant, the 2018 is brooding and imposing. This is more massive, but no less wonderful. It shares the same DNA as the 2016 with its detail, precision, tension and exceptional tannic structure. Baptiste and Omri are firm believers that it is the quality of tannins that makes the difference between good and greatness. This was clearly evident when tasting the 2018s. Lafleur, Cheval Blanc, Haut Brion, Montrose, to name but a few, have tannins that tantalise the taste buds, possess the 'haunting finish' that separates the élite from the crowd. We could talk tannins for a long time, but there are other aspects of this wine that also deserve a mention. The bouquet is regal: mineral infused cassis, fine herbs, flowers, stones and detailed red berries. There is wonderful delineation on the palate; refined, intense fruit cascades over the palate, graphite and ferrous notes, waves of fruit, real density and concentration, yet there is nothing cumbersome or heavy, it flows, there's a real suppleness and class to the salty cherry fruit, violet scented cassis and cocoa nib flavours. We now must talk more about the tannins. They are seductive yet possess real gravitas. There's a salinity and freshness that makes the mouth water - these are refreshing, vibrant tannins, laced with minerals and fruit. At this moment it resembles a more massive version on the 2016, with the same level of refinement and class. It is clearly one of the standout wines of the vintage. It'll be fascinating to chart its progress for the rest of our lives... 54% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc), 46% Merlot.