Château Lafleur

Pensées de Lafleur, Pomerol, 2011

Name: Pensées de Lafleur, Pomerol
Brand: Château Lafleur

87-89/100

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

91/100

Vinous

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Justerini & Brooks Tasting note

Baptiste Guinadeau described 2012 as an ‘exciting, interesting vintage, a vintage of three parts'. A wet spring and early summer which 'replenished and liberated' the soils after three years of drought. There was a risk of mildew, so lots of work was required in the vineyard, but they knew that the 'balance of the vintage could change quickly', and it did. The summer was dry and hot with 46 days without rain; this really helped maturity. The weather changed again in October and became cold and wet for the harvest. The team tasted berries every day to judge when the optimum time to harvest was. The Merlots for Pen sees were picked on the 4th of October and the Cabernets Franc on the 10th of October. The final blend will be 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc. We were very very impressed by this cuvee; it was even more pretty and polished than usual. There is something brooding and serious about the bouquet, but there are notes of flowers, sweet sexy plums, morello cherries and sweet bramble fruit. Wonderfully intense and fragrant with far more Merlot character this year. Some Cabernet Franc that usually goes into Lafleur was utilized in this cuvee. This is beautifully poised, balanced wine which finishes with pure redcurrant, vanilla and velvety chocolate.

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Critic Reviews

91/100

Neal Martin,

Vinous

The 2011 Pensée de Lafleur has quite a high-toned, candied bouquet with brambly red fruit, star anis and graphite, fresh and with more energy than its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, bright red fruit laced with desiccated orange peel, tobacco and graphite, cohesive towards the finish with admirable length. This is showing well and should age nicely in bottle. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.

drinking window 2020 - 2032

date of review 04/2022

87-89/100

Robert Parker,

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2011 Les Pensees de Lafleur is a blend of 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc. Juicy raspberry and herbal notes are accompanied by a medium-bodied mouthfeel, excellent ripeness and texture, and a savory, forward component. This 2011 should drink well for 10-15 years.

drinking window 2012 - 2027

date of review 04/2012

product details

Specifications

Country:

Region:

Appellation:

Producer:

style:

Grape Variety:

Merlot Cabernet Franc

abv:

14%

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.