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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)."
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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."
95
VINUM: "70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc; sehr steinig im Ausdruck, zitrische Noten, schwarze Kirsche, strahlende Frucht; weicher Auftakt, mittelkräftig, rote Früchte, Blutorangen, Sauerkirschen, getragen von seidigen Tanninen. Faszinierend, schwebend, hochelegant. Wird in jeder Phase seines Lebens Spass machen."
95
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."
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LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc), the 2023 Pensees de Lafleur has a deep garnet-purple color. It needs a swirl or two to spur it on to gallop out with powerful notes of juicy black plums, wild blueberries, and raspberry preserves, leading to an undercurrent of wood smoke, charcoal, bay leaves, and Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet and beautifully poised, with very fine, silky tannins and alluring freshness, finishing very long and earthy."
18
WEINWISSER: "Betörendes florales Bouquet, Iris-, Veilchen- und Fliedernoten, Waldhimbeere und Johannisbeergelee. Am komplexen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, edlem mineralischem Kern, engmaschigem Tanningerüst und sehr straffem und tiefgründigem Gaumen. Im konzentrierten langanhaltenden Finale schwarze Beeren, tiefschürfende Terroirwürze und körnige Adstringenz."
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DECANTER: "So floral - strawberry leaf, raspberry, softly herbal, a little creamy with violets and black cherries. Pure and velvety, this has a subtle energy as well as ripe fruit with lots of definition. Nothing shouting about this wine, it’s almost discreet but not lacking in gentle power. Not so concentrated but it’s extremely finessed and very welcoming. Juicy, like strawberry juice with a graphite minerality and a succulence all the way through that is appealing. Ageing 25% new oak, 75% is one use wine. 3.75pH."
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THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Quite floral in nature, you also find cherries, plums, chocolate, and a hint of citrus that is with you from the attack through to the backend. The wine is medium-bodied, ripe, round, and vibrant, with sweetness to the red pit fruits accompanied by a cocoa-infused edge, with drops of tangerine skins that you find on the palate, and in the finish. The wine blends 70% Merlot with 30% Cabernet Franc. The harvest took place September 9- September 17. Drink from 2028-2045."
