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Lafleur 2011

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyMerlot/Cabernet Franc

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Label

Tasting Notes

This tiny jewel of a property has produced a beautifully rich 2011 Lafleur from a blend of 53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot. The Merlot was picked between August 31 and September 12, and the Cabernet Franc between September 22-23. The 2011 reveals a floral-scented bouquet with notions of kirsch, licorice and black raspberries. It is medium to full-bodied with terrific fruit purity, good minerality and slightly more acidity and freshness than are found in such ripe vintages as 2009 and 2010. At present, the Guinandeau family, the owners, are using between 50-60% new oak in an attempt to emphasize their great terroir and the extraordinary fruit quality they achieve from both the old vine Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This cuvee possesses some serious tannin and will undoubtedly need 5-6 years of cellaring after its release, but it should be one of the longer-lived wines of the vintage, lasting 25+ years.

92/94
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (200), April 2012

Complex aromas of blackberry and whole white truffles with hints of wet earth and stones. Full body and structured with gorgeous, velvety tannins, but reserved and polished. Very long finish with fabulous fruit. Goes on for minutes. This is all class: the red wine of the vintage. Better in 2019.

97
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, January 2014

Serious wine made, as usual, with precision. 53% Cabernet Franc. Dense and restrained on the nose with a hint of chocolate. Layered, long and linear palate - structured for ageing. On a par with the 2008.

18.5
James Lawther MW, Decanter.com, April 2012

Tasted at the property with the entire Guinaudeau family (baby commenting through the intercom.) The Grand Vin is a blend of 47% Merlot cropped on 31st August and 12th September and 53% Cabernet Franc cropped on 22nd and 23rd September. It has a generous bouquet with scents of raspberry, wild strawberry, oyster shell and a touch of kirsch, more open and approachable than the 2009 and 2010. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, crisp tannins. It has wonderful fruit concentration and minerality, very good depth on the back palate that is lacquered in truffle tinged black fruit. It has wonderful focus: a linear Lafleur with a persistent finish. Excellent. Tasted April 2012.

93/95
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2012

Lovely nose of blueberries and blackberries with hints of flowers. Full body, with super silky tannins and an iron backbone of acidity. It's very minerally, almost ferrous. Chewy finish. This is very structured. Some might find it a little boney. But it's racy. Cabernet Franc gives the great quality.

94/95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2012
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.