La Fleur de Boüard 2010

The 2010 La Fleur du Bouard (80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) is bottled unfined and unfiltered and hit 14.5% natural alcohol. The wine offers up notes of black raspberry and blueberry pie intermixed with incense, lead pencil shavings and plenty of underlying floral notes. Some background oak is also present. The wine is medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, voluptuously textured, rich, long and hedonistic and satisfying. Drink it over the next 10+ years. The other cuvee, a limited production wine, can be absolutely magnificent with some bottle age, as the 2000 is certainly proving to be.

Lovely fruit and berry character, with hints of citrus fruit and a clean and bright finish

Super freshness and length - a percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and vintage conditions giving extra lift. Cherry and berry fruit aromas and flavour. Hits a perfect pitch. Drink 2016-2022.

This estate remains the reference point for the highest quality attainable in Lalande de Pomerol, but readers should keep a look out for new proprietor Silvio Denz's Chateau de Chambrun which appears capable of challenging Bouard's wines. This large estate of 50 acres situated on clay, sand and gravelly soils has produced a 2010 offering beautiful licorice, black cherry, plum and Asian spice notes in an elegant, medium-bodied style. A blend of 80% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon, it can be enjoyed during its first 7-8 years of life.