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2008 Chateau Lafleur Pomerol #907597097
94.8
Cellar Tracker
Based on 14 reviews
Reviews 96 points Wine Advocate "There is plenty of fruit on the nose, more than I have encountered on previous bottles, with a mixture of red and black fruit, and a hint of bell pepper and sage. The main difference is that those previously rigid tannin have loosened their collar in recent months; therefore, this Lafleur is now entertaining the notion of drinkability. There remains a linearity to this Lafleur, and there is still that backbone, yet it seems to flow nicely across the mouth, and there is superb mineralite on the finish. (NM)" 96 points John Gilman "...is an absolute classic in the making and likely to be ranked as one of the great vintages at this estate from the first decade of the new millennium. The bouquet is deep, pure and youthfully reticent, as it offers up a complex melange of black cherries, red currants, coffee, a very strong and complex base of soil, nutskins, cigar wrapper and a deft framing of new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very, very soil-driven, with a rock solid core of fruit, ripe tannins, very fine acidity and excellent focus and grip on the very long and well-balanced finish. A classic Lafleur and a magically beautiful bottle of wine. (JG)"
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About Chateau Lafleur
Nestled in the heart of Pomerol, Chateau Lafleur is a legendary producer highly esteemed for its extraordinary terroir, meticulous winemaking, and exquisite portfolio of wines. Its 11-hectare vineyard, a stone's throw from Chateau Pétrus, is blessed with clay, gravel, and clay-limestone soil, providing a foundation for the complexity, elegance, and minerality embodied in its wines.
Planted with an almost equal proportion of Merlot and Cabernet Franc (Bouchet), the domaine has an average of 45-year-old vines, with some dating back to the 1950s. This old-vine heritage imparts depth and concentration to the wines, enhanced by Chateau Lafleur's adherence to organic and traditional viticulture, hand-harvesting, rigorous grape sorting, and massale selection.
Chateau Lafleur's winemaking, a fusion of traditional methods and modern innovations, involves fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete vats, followed by maturation in French oak barrels. A modest 25% of new oak was used in the spectacular 2022 vintage, emphasizing the natural structure and fruit concentration. This approach results in powerful yet elegant wines, offering a harmonious interplay of opulence and finesse.
The repertoire of Chateau Lafleur encompasses the revered Lafleur Grand Vin, Les Pensées, Les Perrières, Les Champs Libres, and Château Grand Village. Each label is a testament to a specific facet of the estate's terroir, grape varieties, and winemaking philosophies.
The Lafleur Grand Vin, typically equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, consistently stands out as a legendary wine, presenting a harmonious fusion of vibrant fruit, core minerality, and smooth tannins. Les Pensées, hailing from a clay-heavy ancient river bed within Lafleur, offers a Merlot-dominant wine renowned for its plummy complexity and nourishing richness. Les Perrières, sourced from the high-altitude limestone soils of Fronsac, delivers high-toned fruit with refreshing acidity, aptly referred to as the 'Lafleur on limestone.'
Finally, Chateau Grand Village, a consistent value offering, offers the pedigree of Lafleur at an astonishingly reasonable price. This Merlot-dominant blend offers early accessibility, evolving over time to reveal its inherent minerality and the distinctive Lafleur touch.
With its distinctive terroir, and dedication to traditional and innovative techniques, Chateau Lafleur stands as an iconic producer of elite Bordeaux wines, offering both collectors' gems and accessible pleasures that will offer years of enjoyment around the table.