Chateau Lafleur - Pomerol 2012 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting, the 2012 Lafleur has a very well-defined bouquet that is complex and laden with blackberry, granite, cedar and veins of graphite, all with razor-like precision. The palate is medium-bodied with fine delineation and lovely poise. There are plenty of graphite-infused black fruit interwoven into this Pomerol with a cheeky dab of spiciness on the finish that needs to manifest just a little more precision in order that it attains full potential. As usual, Baptiste, Julie and Jacques Guinaudeau have conjured a serious Lafleur destined for long-term ageing. Tasted January 2016.

Vinous

95 / 100

the1/31/2016

The 2012 Lafleur presents a distinctly red-toned profile to match its silky, open-knit personality. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherry, plum, mint and spices are all nicely layered throughout. Medium in body, the 2012 nevertheless possesses lovely depth and pliancy, both of which suggest it will provide readers with a long window of exceptionally fine drinking. Proprietor Baptiste Guinaudeau describes 2012 as a cool vintage of open-knit wines and compares his 2012 to the 2001. This is a superb showing and one of the standouts of the year. Readers will find many terrific 2012s, but Lafleur is distinguished by its soul, something that is not to easy to find in Bordeaux. The 2012 is 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot.

Vinous

95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe1/15/2016

The 2012 Lafleur presents a distinctly red-toned profile to match its silky, open-knit personality. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherry, plum, mint and spices are all nicely layered throughout. Medium in body, the 2012 nevertheless possesses lovely depth and pliancy, both of which suggest it will provide readers with a long window of exceptionally fine drinking. Proprietor Baptiste Guinaudeau describes 2012 as a cool vintage of open-knit wines and compares his 2012 to the 2001. This is a superb showing and one of the standouts of the year. Readers will find many terrific 2012s, but Lafleur is distinguished by its soul, something that is not to easy to find in Bordeaux. The 2012 is 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. Drinking window 2019 - 2042.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/1/2015

Deep ruby to the rim, the 2012 Lafleur possesses beautiful kirsch, sweet raspberry fruit, ripe tannin, and a lushness and roundness. It is medium to full-bodied and complex, with an exceptional texture and purity – all hallmarks of this property. This wine should drink well for another 15 or more years. (94+)

Jamessuckling.com

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

This is subtle yet so deep with blackberry, wet earth, stone and berries. It's full-bodied, with superfine tannins and wonderful length. Everything is at the end of the palate. This will be better than 2011. It's really about clarity and harmony. Yes. The winemaker says a special lot of Merlot picked on September the 23 really made this wine what it is. Stunning.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90-93 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/29/2013

(54% cabernet franc and 46% merlot). Bright ruby-red. Perfumed aromas of blackcurrant, red berries, violet and vanilla. Enters sweet and creamy, with red and black fruit flavors, but turns austere toward the back, showing slightly tough tannins that will likely need considerable élévage to smooth out. Lovely lingering note of violet on the finish.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/6/2013

The Grand Vin is a blend of 46% Merlot picked on 23rd September and 54% Cabernet Franc picked on 6th October cropped at around 32hl/ha. The Merlot is quite expressive on the nose once again with redcurrant and raspberry scents intermingling with wilted rose petal scents and flinty notes. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chalky tannins on the entry. The acidity is crisp and lifted. This is a more masculine Lafleur: a little broody as it so often is at this primordial stage, the oak (around 25% new) waiting patiently in the background. There is good weight here and finish has a generosity and openness that is unusual for the vintage. Tasted April 2013.

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/29/2013

Drink 2018-203054% Cabernet Franc (picked 6 October), 46% Merlot (23 September). Very dark with opaque core. Dusty/mineral (that's positive, almost white pepper) fragrance. Pure dark, elegant, restrained fruit. Incredibly silky and fresh and elegant. Doesn't have that papery grip of the Pensées. Very long given its delicacy – almost a lightness – on the palate. More and more fragrant as it opens up. (JH)

My Bettane + Desseauve

18-18,5 / 20

the4/27/2013

Très gras, très ample, très caressant, moelleux et profond, avec une persistance florale magnifique, un Lafleur étonnant et onctueux. Le merlot y joue un rôle plus fondamental qu’à l’habitude.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

Reminiscent of the 2001 Lafleur, the 2012 is supple and elegant as well as impressively pure, textured and medium-bodied, with sensual kirsch-like fruit intermixed with loamy soil, licorice and incense notes. While not particularly powerful, it possesses a deep ruby color with purple nuances, and is stunningly pure with no hard edges. This 2012 will be drinking well by age 5 or 6 (atypical for a young Lafleur), and should keep for 15 or more. Baptiste Guinaudeau, the young, tall proprietor of this tiny treasure on the Plateau of Pomerol, harvested his Merlot at a perfect moment, September 23, and finished with the Cabernet Franc on October 6, several days before a huge deluge inundated Bordeaux. He spoke of 46 straight days with no rain, which created hydric stress in parts of their vineyard. The final blend for the 2012 Lafleur was 54% Cabernet Franc and 46% Merlot. Yields were low, never having surpassed 40 hectoliters per hectare in over 30 years, even in abundant years such as 1990 and 1982.Drink: 2018 - 2033(92-94+)

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

From 54% Cabernet Franc, picked October 6, and 46% Merlot, harvested September 23, the wine is deeply colored. Earth, mint, spice box, fennel and plum notes create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is medium/full-bodied with luscious black raspberries, plum liqueur, spice and fresh thyme, ending in a long, fresh and opulent finish. 94-96 Pts

My Bettane + Desseauve

14,5 / 20

the4/22/2013

Nez très profond de fruits noirs et de vieille rose, en bouche on a un juste équilibre au niveau de la matière, avec une densité harmonieuse. Ce sera un très bon vin de truffe.

Decanter.com

18,75 / 20

the4/22/2013

Classic in style but racy and harmonious. Pure and expressive on the nose. Berry fruits with a hint of mint. Beautifully balanced on the palate and so, so long. Not the density of a 2005 or 2010 but perfect pitch. 18.75/20pts ( 95+/100pts)Drink: 2022 - 2035Taster: James Lawther MW

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17 / 20

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/9/2013

Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez fin, fruité, mûr et subtil. Entrée en bouche séveuse. Finement moelleux au milieu, le vin se développe gourmand puis un peu plus austère en finale. Très belle longueur tramée et complexe. L'élevage fera le reste. Du grand vin.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

This is subtle yet so deep with blackberry, wet earth, stone and berries. It’s full-bodied, with superfine tannins and wonderful length. Everything is at the end of the palate. This will be better than 2011. It’s really about clarity and harmony. Yes. The winemaker says a special lot of Merlot picked on September the 23 really made this wine what it is. Stunning.