Château Lafleur Gazin, Pomerol,

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Lafleur-Gazin is a tad closed and grumpy to begin, needing some coaxing to bring out notes of baked black plums, boysenberries, and tar, followed by hints of licorice and allspice. The medium to full-bodied palate is laden with black fruit preserves and savory accents, framed by ripe, rounded tannins, finishing earthy. This is made from 100% Merlot.

The 2022 Lafleur-Gazin was picked 5-13 September. This is a vastly improved Pomerol over the last decade. This is fragrant and slightly exotic on the nose with black fruit, liquorice and truffle scents percolating through with time. Good delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, some lovely ripe black fruit laced with espresso and minerals. It seems to gain complexity approaching its finish and contains the sapidity to beckon another sip immediately. What a lovely Pomerol.