2021, Les Pensées, AOC POMEROL, 375mls half bottle (Ch. Lafleur)

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Franc, Merlot.

Founded in 1987 by Sylvie and Jacques Guinaudeau, Les Pensées is situated among the greatest wines of the plateau of Pomerol. The wine derives from a small stretch of Pomerol-clay (0.68 ha) in the centre of Lafleur’s gravel-dominated vineyard. This makes of Les Pensées a unique interpretation of Lafleur.

The 2021 Les Pensées de Lafleur is quite floral and lifted, with lovely aromatic presence, fine balance and plenty of charm. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit and blood orange lend brightness, with intense saline accents from the Bouchets (Cabernet Franc) that come through on the finish. 91-93 Antonio Galloni.

The 2021 Les Pensées, from the tongue of clay in the gravel Lafleur vineyard, was picked on 28 September and 2 October. It has a wonderful bouquet with pure brambly red fruit, light graphite scents and just a touch of the estuary. The palate is beautifully proportioned with fine tannins, quite structured and saline, very mineral-driven and as fresh as a daisy towards the finish. Excellent. 91-93 Neal Martin.

Aromas of rose petals, raspberries, plums and musk introduce the 2021 Pensées de Lafleur, a medium to full-bodied, seamless and enveloping wine that's deep and sensual, it's ripe tannins entirely concealed in an ample core of succulent, pungently perfumed fruit. 94-96 William Kelley, Wine Advocate.