2024, Les Pensées, AOC POMEROL (Ch. Lafleur)

Founded in 1987 by Sylvie and Jacques Guinaudeau, Les Pensées is situated among the greatest vines 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.

A blend of 64% Merlot (harvested on September 23rd) and 36% Cabernet Franc (picked on September 30th), the 2024 Pensées de Lafleur is a sensual and remarkably pure expression of the vintage. Evoking aromas of rose, violet, flowers, cassis and cherries, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and sappy with a pure, polished and seamless mid-palate framed by powdery tannins, culminating in a long, ethereal finish delicately redolent of rose petals. While not as deep as in some previous vintages, this is nonetheless an especially graceful and refined interpretation of this cuvée, derived from vines growing in the part of Lafleur's vineyard through which a water course once flowed and where the soils are richer in clay and better hydrated (and farmed accordingly).
92-94 Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate.

Sweet damson fruit aromatics, good density, Pomerol character, rose petals, smoked earth and grilled red plum, this has touches of sweet almond and salted caramel, giving salinity and lift, gently placed tannins, pulses of minerality that delivers the freshness of the year without aggression. Yields here in the late 30s, higher than average in Pomerol. Harvest 25 September to 3 October.
93 Jane Anson.

The 2024 Les Pensées has quite a complex bouquet with blackcurrant, bilberry and light estuarine scents percolating through with time. The palate is quite arresting, one of the few Merlot wines with genuine grip and heft, but it maintains refinement on the peppery finish. The 2024 feels long and sustained and worthy of bottle age. It will develop wonderfully in time.
92-94 Neal Martin, Vinous.

Deep ruby colour. Mineral, earthy & pleasurable aromatics with floral violet notes. Profound, deep, juicy mouth-feel with amplitude rather than verticality. Omri referred to the shape of the glass as being an analogy for the wine – one of roundness & shape.Long mineral finish.
Katharine Maude, April 2025.