2011, Château Lafleur, POMEROL

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Franc, Merlot.

This Lafleur effort in 2011 is truly stupendous and once again shows the greatness of its terroir. This was one of the driest vintages on record here and the berries were incredibly small, giving concentrated juice. The extraction, however, has been done with great skill, and the wine is beautifully fresh, balanced and textured. Deeply coloured, the primary black fruit nose builds and builds in the glass. A blend of 53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot, there's real depth and complexity with plush, polished tannins and a concentration of delicious dark fruits - plum, mulberry and damson - joined by touches of dark chocolate, cured meat and spice. It's still very much in its first flush of youth and is not even close to being broached. 96/100 John Stimpfig.

Drinking Window: 2023 - 2040