Les Pensées, Pomerol
    Château Lafleur

    Les Pensées, Pomerol,

    Destination

    Les Pensées, Pomerol, 2018

    Justerini & Brooks Tasting note
    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.

    Maturity:
    Keep
    ABV:
    15%
    93/100
    Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
    Unusually high Merlot for Pensees, this combines gorgeously rich texture with mouthwatering salinity on the finish, moving through plump and plus black cherry and raspberry fruit. The team here always knows how to skilfully construct a wine, and this picks up concentrated notes of fennel and mint that raise the game. 25% new oak for ageing.
    Date Reviewed:
    05/2024
    Drinking Window:
    2028 - 2040
    94-96/100
    Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent
    A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc), the 2023 Pensees de Lafleur has a deep garnet-purple color. It needs a swirl or two to spur it on to gallop out with powerful notes of juicy black plums, wild blueberries, and raspberry preserves, leading to an undercurrent of wood smoke, charcoal, bay leaves, and Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet and beautifully poised, with very fine, silky tannins and alluring freshness, finishing very long and earthy.
    Date Reviewed:
    05/2024
    Drinking Window:
    2029 - 2050
    92-94/100
    Neal Martin, Vinous
    The 2023 Les Pensées contains more Merlot this year, at 70% of the final blend. It was picked between September 7 to 17. This has another very minerally bouquet, well-defined, quite nervy and focused, with a subtle marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive concentration and freshness on the entry. Black plum and a touch of dark chocolate come through, framed by a slightly granular texture. Cracked black pepper emerges on the structured but not heavy finish. Excellent.
    Date Reviewed:
    04/2024
    Drinking Window:
    2027 - 2042

    specifications

    country:
    France
    region:
    Bordeaux
    Appellation:
    style:
    Grape Variety:
    Allergen Information:
    This product may contain sulphites. Full allergen information is available upon request, please call our Customer Relations Team on +44 (0)20 7484 6430.