Wine Advisor
Lafleur 2002
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Description
Château Lafleur is a tiny 4.5-hectare Pomerol property located opposite Pétrus and producing wines of comparable quality. Lafleur is owned and run by Sylvie and Jacques Guinadeau. Its vineyards are situated on the gravel-rich Pomerol plateau and adjoin those of La Fleur-Pétrus. The soils here are particularly deep and are enriched by deposits of potassium and iron. Only natural fertilisers are used and yields are painfully low, even by Pomerol standards. By the 1980s, Chateau Lafleur was on its way to becoming one of the world’s most in-demand wines selling for more than the First Growths. In 1975, Robert Parker made his first visit to the estate and since then never stopped writing about the wine. His comments on Chateau Lafleur excited consumers all over the world, and thus became one of those Pomerol wines that tied to the success and continuous praise heaped on the wine by Robert Parker.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Somewhat of a revelation in a vintage that was obviously difficult in this appellation, Lafleur’s 2002 represents the essence of old vines with structured, deep, concentrated flavors. This medium-bodied, dense ruby/purple-colored effort exhibits impressive purity as well as a persistent, long palate offering a kiss of sweet kirsch and licorice. Some jagged tannin needs to be resolved if this wine is to merit a score in the low nineties. However, it will be very long-lived, especially for a Pomerol. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The nose displays moderate intensity, sous-bois characters coming through first, with smoke, a touch of cooked meats, a touch of loganberry with time, a hint of vases of decayed roses. Good freshness, lots of personality. The palate is very harmonious with rounded, lithe tannins, slightly lower in acidity, perhaps a little conservative but it remains very focused on the finish. A Lafleur playing it safe in some ways, but give it time... Drink 2015-2030. Tasted September 2008.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A wonderful minerally nose with a savory, almost biscuity touch from the Cabernet Franc. The palate is very supple and lithe, but there is immense concentration here. Rounded, seamless tannins almost meaty on the mid-palate. The Cabernet Franc really makes this wine. A sublime, slightly savory finish. Very persistent length. This is an outstanding 2002. Tasted April 2005.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted blind at Farr’s 2002 Bordeaux tasting. This has a very intense nose, smoke with cooked meats/savoury quality emanating from some lovely Cabernet Franc. Just a faint mote of stewed black tea in the background, but fresh and with great clarity. The Cabernet Franc dominates the entry, firm structure, tarry with graphite interlacing the sturdy, stoic finish, yet there remains outstanding focus and precision. This is worth cellaring this for a few years as you never know what Lafleur may conjure up in the cellar. Tasted October 2009.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted from an ex-chateau bottle at the Lafleur vertical dinner at Attersee in Austria. The 2002 Lafleur appeared to go into its shell for a few years, however this is the best bottle that I have encountered for some while. It has wonderful definition and vivacity on the nose with scents of blackberry and truffle – subtle notes of dried blood in the background coming from the Cabernet Franc. The palate is medium-bodied and seems to have softened just a little in recent years. There is impressive weight here, real presence in the mouth. Blackberry, graphite and bay leaf inform the middle and finish that is still a little foursquare, but has real vivacity. You sense that this Lafleur is only just beginning to show what it can do. Tasted June 2012.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
An austerely-styled Lafleur, the 2002 possesses high tannin, a dark ruby/purple color, an angular personality, sweet mineral-infused black cherry fruit, dusty tannins, and considerable grip and structure. There is a certain nobility to the aromatics and flavors, but the dry, hard tannins are cause for concern. Keep a rabbit’s foot in your back pocket if you are going to buy this wine, as I have severe reservations about whether it will ever come into balance. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016?
About the Producer
In 2002, the Gwinoders completely acquired Lafleur, becoming the sole owner of Lafleur, and have been operating it ever since. Huabao now has 4.5 hectares of vineyards. The soil types in the garden are diverse, including gravel, clay and gravel. Generally speaking, these soils are relatively poor and very suitable for grape planting. Among the grape varieties planted in the vineyard, Merlot (Merlot) and Cabernet Franc (Cabernet Franc) are equally divided, each accounting for 50%, the planting density is 6,000-7,500 plants/ha, and the average tree age is 30 years.
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Package Size
3 x 75cl
