Wine Advisor
Le Plus de La Fleur de Bouard 2000
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
An opaque purple color to the rim along with fabulous blackberry/blueberry fruit intermixed with camphor, graphite, smoke, licorice, and espresso roast are found in the 2000. This enormous wine is layered and harmonious, with sweet tannin, huge, expansive, fat, fleshy flavors, great delineation, and a certain lightness on its feet for its mass and richness. It is a tour de force in winemaking, as so many of the Bouard efforts tend to be. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2016.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
There are 120 cases of the 2000 Le Plus de la Fleur de Bouard, a luxury cuvee culled from Hubert de Bouard's new property in Lalande de Pomerol. Destined to be a cult wine, it boasts remarkable intensity, ripeness, richness, and depth. An inky black/purple color is accompanied by gorgeous aromas of blackberry liqueur, flowers, graphite, and smoky wood. Super-ripe and full, it is one of the most concentrated efforts of the vintage. The extract levels will raise eyebrows, as will the price, certainly the most expensive wine ever made in Lalande de Pomerol. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2015+.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A tremendous achievement by Hubert de Bouard, the 2000 La Plus de la Fleur de Bouard (a 420-case luxury cuvee) is a blend of 80% Merlot and the rest primarily Cabernet Franc and a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon. Filled with richness and intensity, with elegance, harmony, and poise, it is one of the top wines of the vintage. Sadly, very little is available. Approachable, with a velvety texture as well as abundant notes of blueberries, coffee, black currants, kirsch, smoke, and licorice, it is a massive, rich (but not heavy) wine that should drink well for another 10-15 years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2000 Le Plus De La Fleur de Bouard could be called a "garage" wine from Lalande de Pomerol. It is extremely concentrated, with huge levels of glycerin, powerful, thick, highly extracted flavors with no hard edges, and roasted coffee, blackberry liqueur, creme de cassis, and vanillin characteristics in its massive, full-bodied, super-endowed style. Anticipated maturity: now-2012...plus.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
(bottled in March of 2003) Medium ruby-red. Nose conveys a roasted ripeness, offering jammy dark berries, kirsch, chocolatey oak and a suggestion of menthol. Fat and sweet on entry, then quite powerful in the middle and closed on the finish. The huge tannins saturate the cheeks and teeth. With its 14.6% alcohol, this very long, superripe wine could hold its own alongside a very ripe Napa Valley cabernet. If the 2001 brings most of its color and stuffing into the bottle, it will surpass this big boy.
About the Producer
Le Plus de La Fleur de Boüard is made from the oldest vines planted on land consisting of clay-topped boulders expressing the full character of the hotel's ancient Merlot grapes, the only variety used. The yields of these very old vines are apparently very low, ranging from 15 to 29 hectoliters per hectare. The wines are aged for a very long time: 33 months in barrels and 18 months on fine lees. The resulting wine is smooth and elegant. It has a perfect balance and a lovely freshness. This lush, mouth-watering wine offers intense aromas and outstanding elegance.
