Chateau Lafleur - Pensees de Lafleur 2024

VINUM: "Mittelkräftiges Rubinrot; ein Hauch von Reduktion im Duft, der sich rasch verzieht, tiefgründig, mit rauchigen Note, einem Mix aus Waldbeeren, Pflaumen und Schwarzkirschen, deutliche Mineralik; im Gaumen cremig im Auftakt, wir dann rasch straff, sehr vertikal, ungemein knackige Frucht, sehr feine Tannine, ausgesprochen gute Länge. Finesse pur."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep garnet-purple colored. Sashays out with bold notes of raspberry coulis, black cherries, and mulberries, leading to hints of forest floor, crushed rocks, and lavender oil. The medium-bodied palate is bright and shimmery with layers of red berries and mineral, framed by super-silky tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and layered."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Solid and very precise, showing wonderfully integrated tannins with drive and focus. Polished and extremely poised. Medium-bodied, this has creamy texture and a long, vibrant finish. Reminds me of the superb 1995. A blend of 64% merlot and 36% bouchet (cabernet franc)."

WEINWISSER: "beruhigender Beginn, zarte, rotbeerige Konturen, Grafit und Gewürznelken. Am komplexen Gaumen mit seidiger Textur, engmaschig, edler mineralischer Kern, verschlankt sich, trainierter Körper. Im konzentrierten Finale frischer Schattenmorellensaft und dunkle Mineralik. Ein schlafender Gigant."

ANSON: "Sweet damson fruit aromatics, good density, Pomerol character, rose petals, smoked earth and grilled red plum, this has touches of sweet almond and salted caramel, giving salinity and lift, gently placed tannins, pulses of minerality that delivers the freshness of the year without aggression. Yields here in the late 30s, higher than average in Pomerol. Harvest 25 September to 3 October."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A blend of 64% Merlot (harvested on September 23rd) and 36% Cabernet Franc (picked on September 30th), the 2024 Pensées de Lafleur is a sensual and remarkably pure expression of the vintage. Evoking aromas of rose, violet, flowers, cassis and cherries, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and sappy with a pure, polished and seamless mid-palate framed by powdery tannins, culminating in a long, ethereal finish delicately redolent of rose petals. While not as deep as in some previous vintages, this is nonetheless an especially graceful and refined interpretation of this cuvée, derived from vines growing in the part of Lafleur's vineyard through which a water course once flowed and where the soils are richer in clay and better hydrated (and farmed accordingly)."

DECANTER: "This has a crushed velvet texture - very Pomerol with softly chewy fruit aligned to fine but salty, present tannins that give the cool, fresh outline of the vintage. Quite a serious take, especially on the finish, tightening up becoming more tense and chalky but there's no heaviness and it keeps finesse and elegance. Ends salty with liquorice, slate, graphite, tobacco and clove as well as lots of blueberry. A potentially excellent wine in the making here. Ageing 22% new oak."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Feine Kirschfrucht, ein Hauch von roten Waldbeeren, kandierte Orangenzesten, einladendes Bukett. Mittlere Komplexität, Beerenkonfit, feines, reifes Tannin, frischer Säurebogen, ein Hauch von Extraktsüße im Abgang, ein schlanker, charmanter Speisenbegleiter."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2024 Pensées De Lafleur sports a deep ruby/purple hue as well as a gorgeous nose of ripe black raspberries, damp earth, graphite, and tobacco, with a gorgeous floral character coming through with air. Medium-bodied, very pretty, and elegant, with an almost chalky minerality, it has fine tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and outstanding length. It's another pure, elegant, seamless wine from this brilliant team."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Black cherries with accents of espresso, flowers, truffle, and chocolate pop in the nose. On the palate, the wine is supple, fresh, and creamy, with loads of elegant, soft, sweet, cherries, plums, licorice, spice, mint, and just enough chocolate on the back end to round everything out. The wine blends 64% Merlot with 36% Cabernet Franc. The harvest took place September 20 - September 30. Drink from 2028-2040."