Chateau Lafleur - Pensees de Lafleur 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "The texture to this is really something, with tannins that are silky and totally integrated. It remains so lifted and weightless, but then it runs long and tight. Very attractive citrus fruit and blueberries, as well as a touch of tile and ceramic. Caresses your palate. 70% merlot and 30% bouchet (cabernet franc)."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2023 Pensées de Lafleur is an especially serious rendition of a cuvée that is generally more forward and demonstrative than its stablemate Lafleur. Unfurling in the glass with deep aromas of cherries and dark berries mingled with violets, orange zest and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, with a broad attack that segues into a fleshy, layered core of real depth and density, underpinned by rich, powdery tannins and concluding with a long, harmonious finish. It's a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Gewürznelken, reife rote Kirschen, Lilac, mineralisch, deutlich floral geprägtes Bukett mit hohem Merlotanteil, frische Orangenzesten. Komplex, saftig, elegante Textur, hat Kraft, etwas Nugat, dunkle Mineralität, feste Gerbstoff im Abgang, sehr gute Länge, saliner Nachhall, braucht sicher seine Zeit, fast kreidig im Abgang, ein würziger Speisenbegleiter."