Château Lafleur

Pensées de Lafleur, Pomerol, 2013

Name: Pensées de Lafleur, Pomerol
Brand: Château Lafleur

90/100

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

88/100

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

88/100

Neal Martin,

Vinous

The 2013 Pensées de Lafleur has a muted bouquet that pales against the 2010 that is tasted alongside. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannin, a little pinched on the mid-palate with a grippy, tobacco-infused finish that just shows a little abruptness. Tasted at the Christies’ Lafleur masterclass in London.

drinking window 2018 - 2026

date of review 11/2018

90/100

Neal Martin,

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2013 Les Pensees de Lafleur has a fragrant bouquet with red cherries, strawberry and a light marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied and well balanced, with slightly chalky tannin and decent depth of fruit, fresh and lively with an easy-going but quite edgy finish. Enjoy this Pensees de Lafleur over the next 6-8 years.

drinking window 2017 - 2024

date of review 10/2016

product details

Specifications

Country:

Region:

Appellation:

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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.