2016, Pensées de Lafleur, AOC POMEROL (Ch. Lafleur)

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Franc.

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. 93 Neal Martin, Vinous (2020).

The 2016 Pens?es de Lafleur is a flat out stunning second wine. Black cherry, plum, chocolate and leather are some of the many notes that fill out the wine's layers. Today, the Pens?es comes across as surprisingly dark and powerful. This is a very serious second wine. Accordingly, readers should plan on cellaring it for at least a few years. 93+ Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2018).

This has astonishing tannic presence for a second wine, and yet the individual strands are so soft and silky. It is more perfumed and softly fruited than Lafleur at this stage, rising in you mouth with a mouthwatering succulence on the finish. 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc from 0.7ha. 3.5pH. The biggest production volume for four years. 93 Jane Anson, Decanter (2017). 

Blended of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple coloured 2016 Pensées de Lafleur opens with bold, tantalising notes of crushed black cherries, wild blueberries and plum preserves with hints of kirsch, violets, dark chocolate and liquorice 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. 93 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (2018).

Drinking Window: 2022 - 2042