2024, Château Lafleur, AOC POMEROL

Founded by Henri Greloud in 1872, and derived each year from the same small parcel called simply “Lafleur” on the plateau of Pomerol. Château Lafleur is a rare and mythical wine, associating, in a singular way, power and finesse. 

The 2024 Lafleur has a discrete bouquet which is unusual for Lafleur at this stage, very harmonious with a mixture of blackcurrant and graphite scents, erring towards Left Bank in style as this Pomerol is wont to do. The palate is medium-bodied with a dash of white pepper on the entry. There is an entrancing symmetry to this Lafleur, and it feels very composed and poised towards the finish, which the Bouchet [Cabernet Franc] has shaped. This is a multi-faceted Lafleur, which is some achievement in this growing season. It will be fascinating to watch evolve in bottle.
95-97 Neal Martin, Vinous.

Takes its time in the glass to unroll, as true in 2024 as in any other vintage of Lafleur. Dark fruit character, leafy cassis bud alongside blackcurrant, gunsmoke, poppy seeds, black tea, crayon, even the beginnings of white truffle. Remarkable how different the structure, fruit quality and tannins here are to many others in the vintage - if you are planning to secure any of the big names, this should be on your shortlist. Builds in intensity in the glass, certainly you don't need to worry if you are a collector and don't want to miss a vintage. Harvest 20 to 30 September. They did no green harvesting here, and with the terroir plus careful work in the vineyard, the yields are in mid to high 30s. Lafleur team working under Julie and Baptiste Guinaudeau. 25% new oak.
96 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux.

The 2024 Lafleur is an ode to leisurely, slow ripening, offering a delicately perfumed bouquet of violets, cherries, cassis, flowers and spices. Medium to full-bodied, layered and pure, it's seamless and polished with ultra-refined tannins and a delicate yet vibrant core of fruit, culminating in a long, ethereal finish laced with rose petal nuances. Less dense and structured than many recent vintages, it evokes the charm and elegance of 1983 or 1985, reimagined through a modern lens, both in viticulture and vinification.
93-95 Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate.

Deep purple with violet edge. Gentle nose. Smoky, floral, fresh truffles & sweet spice.
Potpourri, petals, floral mouth-feel. Profound, spicy, unfurling and still shimmery – hasn’t quite settled into itself. Tight mid-palate at this stage. Spicy long, long finish.
Katharine Maude, April 2025.