Pensées de Lafleur, Pomerol, 2016
Pensees always comes from a 0.5 hectare seam that cuts a diagonal strip across the vineyard. There is a clear dip here, which exposes a more normal Pomerol terroir without the top layer of gravel. Produced from 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc. This is a real mini-Lafleur - it really is such an aristocratic and finely textured wine. Initially floral with a glorious Cabernet character, cloves, tayberry, Goji and delicate minerals. The fruit is very fluid and has wonderful cohesion; vivid, savoury and red fruited. What a sleek and sophisticated Pensees that grows in stature and develops in the glass - we're sure there is much more to come. Bravo!
critic reviews
While Lafleur is based on the gravel soils in Pomerol, Pensees de Lafleur is made from the vines on clay. The 2016 Pensees has 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc giving a deep garnet color, with a touch of purple. It delivers head-turning scents of preserved plums, boysenberries, and chocolate-covered cherries, leading to hints of crushed rocks, star anise, and fertile loam. Full-bodied, the palate delivers layer upon layer of black fruits and mineral accents, supported by ripe, rounded tannins, finishing long with loads of mineral and exotic spice sparks.
The 2016 Les Pensées de Lafleur has a lively, tertiary bouquet, a little leafy in style, with more expressive Cabernet Franc evident here. The medium-bodied, lightly spiced palate features supple tannins and a dash of white pepper. Tapers slightly, although I believe it is entering a closed phase and just needs time. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Blended of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Pensees de Lafleur opens with bold, tantalizing notes of crushed black cherries, wild blueberries and plum preserves with hints of kirsch, violets, dark chocolate and licorice with a waft of forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate is amazingly elegant for the intensity of fruit with beautifully ripe, finely grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and layered.