2010 Château Lafleur, Pomerol, Bordeaux

Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2010 Lafleur put in an absolutely no holds barred astonishing performance. Lafleur is wont to improve in bottle and this is certainly the case apropos the 2010. It has a boisterous ripe blackberry, cranberry, sous-bois and graphite-scented bouquet that is an absolute beauty. Power mixed with quite brilliant precision, you almost want to laugh at its sheer audacity. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin; there is immense depth and wonderful cohesion. Mineral-drenched black fruit, a slightly chalky texture and outstanding energy and tension on the finish - this is a magnificent Pomerol from the Guinaudeau family. Tasted December 2016.Neil Martin - 01/03/2017

62% Cabernet Franc, first time they’ve had such a high proportion! 60% of the production. Deep crimson. Savoury and dense and very clarety. Very pure and natural. ‘We did practically nothing, no extraction techniques needed.’ Really fine and racy and dry and minerally but not drying on the end. One of the future. Polished. Lip smacking. Dry finish but very rich in Pomerol way. Long. Real tension. A little lighter than Pétrus but lovely stuff, just a bit tarry on the finish. Very stimulating rather than a relaxing drink. jancis_robinson_mw MW- jancis_robinson_mw.com, Apr 2011

Magnificent wine - structured, fine, cerebral. 62% Cabernet Franc - the highest recorded. Refined, complex nose (violet, berry, 'cacao' notes). Palate fresh and lively. Tannins plentiful but precise. Superb length on the finish.

Almost gushing already, with cassis and blackberry fruit. Supersilky and refined, with an incredibly long, velvety finish. This has heft, but stays graceful. Tasted non-blind. james_molesworth – The Wine Spectator – Apr 2011

As for the Lafleur itself, their 2010 is another fabulous wine from this extraordinary terroir. Composed of 62% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot (identical to what I saw early on), this wine is tightly knit and built for the long haul. Neither is it as exuberant nor as opulent as the 2009 was showing at a similar stage of its life. In stylistic terms, it is more along the lines of a more modern-day 2000 . Deep ruby/purple, with sweet black raspberry and black cherry fruit as well as hints of forest floor, licorice and crushed rock, this wine has superb texture and a full-bodied mouthfeel – then the tannins kick in. This is a powerful, backward wine, and despite its elegance and precision, it needs at least a decade of cellaring. It is slightly more reserved and tannic than I remember it from barrel, but it is locked and loaded with potential. Forget it for a decade a drink it over the following 30-40 years. 96+ robert_parker- Wine Advocate- Feb 2013 This tiny estate, run by the Guinaudeau family, has produced a 2010 Lafleur with the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc that they believe the estate has ever used (62% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot). An intense wine with sweet tannin, a dark ruby purple color, and pure black raspberry and cherry fruit, as well as hints of crushed rock and underlying subtle floral notes, the oak (which is never more than one-third) is completely concealed by the wine-s intensity. In spite of its power, great texture, and richness, the overall impression is one of elegance and freshness. The tannins seems sweet, but I suspect this wine will shut down and not be drinkable for at least 7-8 years but keep for 30-40. 95-98 robert_parker- Wine Advocate- May 2011