Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 1999 Lafleur flies under the radar between the feted 1998 and 2000 vintages. However, it should not be under-estimated. It has a lucid deep color. The bouquet is not dissimilar to the previous bottle tasted in 2012, blessed with pure blackberry and briary scents, hints of gravel that render it not a million miles away from a Left Bank. The palate is very well balanced and seems silkier than ever. Whilst it does not possess the mineral core of the 1998, it has a disarmingly pure and graceful finish. Whilst not a Lafleur of immense length or grandeur it is approachable and beautifully crafted. Tasted at the “International Wine & Business” Lafleur dinner at Ten Trinity, London.

Vinous - Neal Martin (93)

The 1999 Lafleur flies under the radar between the feted 1998 and 2000 vintages. However, it should not be under-estimated. It has a lucid deep color. The bouquet is not dissimilar to the previous bottle tasted in 2012, blessed with pure blackberry and briary scents, hints of gravel that render it not a million miles away from a Left Bank. The palate is very well balanced and seems silkier than ever. Whilst it does not possess the mineral core of the 1998, it has a disarmingly pure and graceful finish. Whilst not a Lafleur of immense length or grandeur it is approachable and beautifully crafted. Tasted at the “International Wine & Business” Lafleur dinner at Ten Trinity, London.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Red and black fruits, huge truffle, graphite, spring flowers, and remarkable complexity all emerge from the 2000 Château Lafleur, a 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc blend that is the very essence of this legendary Pomerol estate. Full-bodied on the palate, it's pure and seamless, with fine, polished tannins, incredible depth, and a finish that simply won't quit. If this doesn't make your eyes roll back in your head, nothing will. It's drinking utterly spectacularly today and has another two decades of longevity at this level, with a gradual decline thereafter. Drink 2026-2046.

Wine Spectator (95-100)

This is seductive. Opulent aromas of chocolate, berry, plum and minerals. Full-bodied, with a fabulous concentration of fruit and supersilky tannins. This is the best wine of Pomerol and one of the most beautiful of 2003. Really exciting. Score range: 95-100

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Fascinating aromas of plums, dried flowers and hints of toasty oak. Full-bodied and muscular, with a long finish. Very, very impressive. Racy and well-toned for the vintage. Very well structured. Score range: 95-100

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Fascinating aromas of plums, dried flowers and hints of toasty oak. Full-bodied and muscular, with a long finish. Very, very impressive. Racy and well-toned for the vintage. Very well structured. Score range: 95-100

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

An absolute monster of a wine, the 2005 Château Lafleur is epitome of this vintage with its dense, massive style. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, its deep plum hue is followed by a rich, powerful, full-bodied Lafleur that has lots of ripe currant and darker, smoky black fruits as well as notes of scorched earth, saddle leather, and flowers. It has a stacked mid-palate, an inward, concentrated mouthfeel, ripe yet still present tannins, and a great finish. It’s still in need of another 5-7 years, if not a decade of bottle age, and will probably see its 100th birthday in fine form.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

An absolute monster of a wine, the 2005 Château Lafleur is epitome of this vintage with its dense, massive style. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, its deep plum hue is followed by a rich, powerful, full-bodied Lafleur that has lots of ripe currant and darker, smoky black fruits as well as notes of scorched earth, saddle leather, and flowers. It has a stacked mid-palate, an inward, concentrated mouthfeel, ripe yet still present tannins, and a great finish. It’s still in need of another 5-7 years, if not a decade of bottle age, and will probably see its 100th birthday in fine form.

Wine Spectator (95-100)

Starts off slow, then cascades like a waterfall. Full and superlong, this is structured and racy. Tight and in reserve. A classic beauty for the vintage. Score range: 95-100

Wine Advocate (93)

Tasted at BI Wine & Spirits' 10-Years-On tasting, the 2007 Lafleur has a beautifully composed bouquet with scents of black cherry, truffle, iron piping and a touch of mint. It is very well defined, nicely focused and full of breeding. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, a superb seam of acidity, good body and presence in the mouth. I adore the ferrous aspect of this Lafleur married with the sense of energy conveyed towards the finish—an off-vintage Pomerol that seems to be flourishing with bottle age. Superb. Tasted February 2017.

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 2008 Lafleur is the surprise of the evening, and on this occasion, it had the audacity to outflank the 2009. Vivid blackberry, clove and crushed stone spring from the glass, bright and almost effervescent compared to the 2009. The palate has exquisite balance and poise, concentrated and structured yet more linear on the finish than the 2010. It gains persistency with aeration. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 2008 Lafleur is the surprise of the evening, and on this occasion, it had the audacity to outflank the 2009. Vivid blackberry, clove and crushed stone spring from the glass, bright and almost effervescent compared to the 2009. The palate has exquisite balance and poise, concentrated and structured yet more linear on the finish than the 2010. It gains persistency with aeration. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.

Vinous - Neal Martin (96)

The 2008 Lafleur is the surprise of the evening, and on this occasion, it had the audacity to outflank the 2009. Vivid blackberry, clove and crushed stone spring from the glass, bright and almost effervescent compared to the 2009. The palate has exquisite balance and poise, concentrated and structured yet more linear on the finish than the 2010. It gains persistency with aeration. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.

James Suckling (100)

This is a crazy nose of tangerines and blueberries, with raspberries and mushroom and berries. Full-bodied, with ultra fine tannins. This wine is all about texture, with phenomenal tannins and subtle fruits that just make you think. Evocative. It is layered, yet changes all the time. I can't believe it really. Speechless. Amazes me. Try in 2020.

Decanter (100)

The paradox of Bordeaux is that some of the greatest vintages are almost unapproachable until they are 20 years old or more. 2010 almost certainly qualifies to be in that bracket, and no one would say this is ready to drink yet (head to Les Pensées for a good few years yet). But at 10 years it practically runs you over with its brilliance the second you get anywhere near it. This is intense with lashings of tannins yet finely wrought and elegant. Power without weight, loaded with graphite, olives, sage, rosemary and violets. This really shows how expansive Lafleur can be, and yet without the slightest trace of heaviness, this is suspended over the glass. So much nuance, texture and layers here - an utterly amazing wine from a year that had a cool early season then turned hot right through until harvest, but always with fresh nights. A standout that makes the most of its high Cabernet Franc content.

James Suckling (97)

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.

The Wine Independent (96)

The 2012 Lafleur is medium to deep garnet colored. It features profound scents of dried cherries, prunes, and wild thyme plus underlying suggestions of camphor, iron ore, and cumin seed. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich and multi-layered, supported by rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with an herbal lift.

The Wine Independent (96)

The 2012 Lafleur is medium to deep garnet colored. It features profound scents of dried cherries, prunes, and wild thyme plus underlying suggestions of camphor, iron ore, and cumin seed. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich and multi-layered, supported by rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with an herbal lift.

James Suckling (100)

That is fantastic on the nose. OMG! Exuberant aromas of lavender, tobacco, cigar box, violets and slice plums. Medium to full body. It just builds on the palate and goes on forever. Speechless. Such finesse and beauty. Just a hint of spices. What a glorious, hyper-classic wine. Coup de foudre!

James Suckling (100)

That is fantastic on the nose. OMG! Exuberant aromas of lavender, tobacco, cigar box, violets and slice plums. Medium to full body. It just builds on the palate and goes on forever. Speechless. Such finesse and beauty. Just a hint of spices. What a glorious, hyper-classic wine. Coup de foudre!

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

Beautifully handled, with layers of grilled cocoa bean, caramel sweetness that places you squarely in Pomerol at the decade mark, pure pleasure, satin texture, fragrant cumin spice, edges of violets and crushed roses as it opens up through the glass. Exceptional, years ahead. Gorgeous. Just 13.5%abv in 2014, so this is a jump up in terms of ripeness, takes it on effortlessly. 20% new oak, Guinaudeau family owners.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (100)

Beautifully handled, with layers of grilled cocoa bean, caramel sweetness that places you squarely in Pomerol at the decade mark, pure pleasure, satin texture, fragrant cumin spice, edges of violets and crushed roses as it opens up through the glass. Exceptional, years ahead. Gorgeous. Just 13.5%abv in 2014, so this is a jump up in terms of ripeness, takes it on effortlessly. 20% new oak, Guinaudeau family owners.

The Wine Independent (100)

Lafleur 2016 is 45% Merlot and 55% Cabernet Franc giving a deep garnet color, with a touch of purple. It storms out of the glass with profound scents of plum preserves, dark chocolate, black cherry compote, and cast iron pan, leading to fragrant hints of mossy tree bark and lilacs. Full-bodied, the palate is so multi-layered and intense it is mind-blowing, delivering densely packed layers of black fruits, exotic spices and earthy elements, framed by super-firm, grained tannins and perfectly knit freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. WOW what a wine!

The Wine Independent (100)

Lafleur 2016 is 45% Merlot and 55% Cabernet Franc giving a deep garnet color, with a touch of purple. It storms out of the glass with profound scents of plum preserves, dark chocolate, black cherry compote, and cast iron pan, leading to fragrant hints of mossy tree bark and lilacs. Full-bodied, the palate is so multi-layered and intense it is mind-blowing, delivering densely packed layers of black fruits, exotic spices and earthy elements, framed by super-firm, grained tannins and perfectly knit freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. WOW what a wine!