Les Pensées, Pomerol, 2018
After the highs of Grand Village and Les Perrieres de Lafleur, we had big expectations for Pensées, and we definitely were not left disappointed. Far from it, this was a superlative Pensées, quite arguably the most profound, most detailed and most sumptuous Pensées we can recall tasting from barrel. Wonderful aromas of incense, dried flowers, griotte and fresh plum. This hails from a diagonal strip that is more clay dominant, a more typical Pomerol terroir if you like. It certainly has the opulence and decadent curvaceous texture one would expect from a top notch Pomerol. The fruit is gloriously textured, luxuriant and deep with perfumed creamy cassis fruit, very sensual with a liquid mineral quality. It's hard to recall a Pensées that is both so complex, alluring and handsome, and possesses such a noble tannic structure and detailed finish. Superb! 54% Bouchet and 46% Merlot.
critic reviews
The 2018 Les Pensées de Lafleur has an open bouquet with iris-inflected raspberry and blackberry, a touch of iodine emerging with aeration. The palate is fresh and quite sensual with oodles of blackcurrant and blueberry fruit. It does become a bit heady with aeration, with a sweet white pepper- and tobacco-tinged finish. Frankly, it is not far away in quality from the Grand Vin. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.
The 2018 Pensees de Lafleur is deep garnet purple in color. It delivers notes of stewed cherries, prunes, and Christmas pudding, with wafts of anise, smoked meats, and tobacco. Full-bodied, the palate is rich and concentrated with plush tannins and soft acidity, finishing long and spicy.
Composed of 46% Merlot and 54% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Pensees de Lafleur bursts with plum preserves and redcurrant jelly scents, giving way to nuances of red roses, dusty soil, bouquet garni and tapenade with a waft of black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate is oh-so-elegant, featuring very soft tannins and beautifully knit acidity to support the generous black and red fruits, finishing long and earthy. Give it a good 3 years to spread its wings and drink it over the next 15 years or more.