Château Lafleur, Pomerol, 2007
A blockbuster even taken out of the context of the vintage, the 2007 Lafleur is the result of minimal interference in the vineyard and the belief that well-maintained vines can produce perfectly ripe fruit on their own (so no leaf-plucking here either). Typically foursquare and masculine in style, this is a concentrated wine with considerable balance, structure and depth; the fruit aromas are dark and wonderfully ripe, smoky blackberry with a wild edge and lots of minerally terroir; on the palate the minerals come through again, overlaid with flavours of spicy blueberry, brambles and blackcurrant, lots of backbone, serious character, and the finest of tannins on the finish. Outstanding. 1000 cases made of this grand vin, blended from 58% Merlot and 42% Cabernet Franc, representing 60% of the whole production.
critic reviews
The 2007 Lafleur, to quote myself, has a straightforward bouquet that does not possess the complexity or mineralité of the 2008, though it feels harmonious with touches of incense and forest floor. The palate is medium-bodied with tannins that have softened in recent years, making this more approachable. Black truffle and cracked pepper furnish a finish that lingers nicely, but leaves the superlatives for other vintages. A solid showing—not remarkable, but it is beginning to drink now. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.
Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 Lafleur has a beautifully composed bouquet with scents of black cherry, truffle, iron piping and a touch of mint. It is very well defined, nicely focused and full of breeding. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, a superb seam of acidity, good body and presence in the mouth. I adore the ferrous aspect of this Lafleur married with the sense of energy conveyed towards the finishan off-vintage Pomerol that seems to be flourishing with bottle age. Superb. Tasted February 2017.