critic reviews
The 1999 Lafleur was predestined to fall between two lauded vintages—nevertheless, it certainly should not be overlooked. This is what you might term a "useful" vintage that will drink earlier than the 1998 and 2000. The nose is quite savoury and more ferrous, and at one point I wondered whether there was just a touch of Brettanomyces. The palate, though, has fine delineation, a "cool" Pomerol that is shorn of frills by the cooler growing season. Its grainy tannins are tightly wound considering its 26 years of age, yet expressive Cabernet Franc lends a peppery character on the finish. This is ready to go but will continue to drink well for the next 20 to 25 years. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.
This wine is a brilliant success, it is one of the stars of the vintage. Lafleur's 1999 is atypically powerful and concentrated, with an inky, saturated purple color followed by a sensational nose of black cherry jam intermixed with liquid minerals, raspberries, and licorice. It is super concentrated, extraordinarily pure, with moderately high tannin. This dense, powerful, impressively endowed wine should turn out to be a classic for Lafleur. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025.