Château Lafleur, Pomerol, 2021

Omri described 2021 as a "vintage of work". This is not something the Guinaudeau clan are afraid of. Few teams are as well prepared, but even for the most meticulous, nature can sometimes present new challenges. In all they encountered 10 nights that required frost protection, but on the 6th of April, they noticed that the turbines were having no affect. It turned out that a 2 Km column of cold air (that originated in Greenland) was sitting over Bordeaux. The turbines were simply sucking more cold air down into the vineyards. Thankfully it wasn’t a hard frost, so the bougies deployed amongst the vines prevented any serious loss. and thankfully they worked; . Omri also defines 2021 as another "multi-vintage year". The first half of summer was oceanic and presented mildew pressure. It wasn't the heaviest rain, but it was unrelenting and required a lot of "gardening". When summer finally arrived, the team worked the soils helping oxygenate the vines. Finally, 2021 provided the opportunity to make wines with lift and elegance. We probably sound like broken records, but this is yet another impeccable range of wines from the Guinaudeau family estates, particularly for Grand Village (red and white) and Les Perrieres. Produced from 48% Merlot and 52% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc) the 2021 Lafleur is complex and savoury, with a sense of round river stones amongst earthy dark fruits. Initially reserved, with aeration, regal aromatics emerge, violets, iris, pure cassis, griotte and creme de mûre. Intense and pure, the palate is surprisingly forthcoming, there's plenty of density to the red and black fruits, yet it maintains a very strict, taut line. A salty minerality frames the finish. The tannins are luxuriant and beautifully integrated: complex, supple, fine grained, yet with surprising depth and beautiful aromatic range, savoury, floral, lifted, precise. Superb!