Chateau Lafleur - Pomerol 2012 (Pre-arrival)

Chateau 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-Petrus. 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.

"The 2012 Lafleur continues to show well in bottle. Contrasted directly against the 2011, this has just a notch more brightness and energy with blackberry and light iodine scents, just a touch of black truffle and that hint of lavender that only emerges with time in the glass. The palate is refined and focused with insistent grip, plenty of cedar and tobacco intertwined with the black fruit and a persistent saline finish that expresses more Cabernet Franc than Merlot. Wonderful. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria."-Neal Martin

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.