x
  • Country ranking ?

    246
  • Producer ranking ?

    13
  • Decanting time

    2h
  • When to drink

    now
  • Food Pairing

    Enjoy without food

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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The Lafleur 1947 is for us the King of fakes. Almost all of the bottles we have bought or tasted, have been fakes, and we have tasted quite a few of them. That is a very sad reality, as the genuine bottle, is one of the best wines of the world and that is what you are expecting every time when opening the 1947 Lafleur - not undrinkable or mediocre wine, which most of the cases is the unfortunate result.

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The Story

Between the estates of Pétrus and La Fleur-Pétrus, amid vineyards, stands a stone house with closed shutters. The road that winds to the house between the vine rows has no signs or indications as to the name of the place. The construction looks more like a maintenance shed for the neighbouring estates than the main building of a winery. However, this is a house that makes one of the most desirable wines in Bordeaux: Château Lafleur.

Lafleur’s wines form an interesting contrast to their neighbour, Pétrus. Their terroirs differ significantly, even though the distance between them is only 50–100 metres. Whereas Pétrus is more seductively rich, full-bodied and intense, Lafleur is charming in its elegance, femininity and subtlety.
Lafleur’s wines are delightful, but they do require aging for at least twenty years in order to display their full, nuanced character. Guinaudeau’s investments into improving quality in all of Lafleur’s functions promise an even better future for the friends of Lafleur. Although tasting the 1947, 1950, 1961, 1975 or 1982, one can only wonder whether Lafleur’s wines could get any better?

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Wine Information

Where the 1945 represents sophistication, nuance and classic character, the 1947 is all about richness, robustness and succulence. Spring was delayed that year, which meant a late start to the growing season.

Summer warmed up toward the autumn and the abundant sunshine ripened the grapes very quickly. Daytime temperatures ranged between 35-38° C. The crop was finally harvested in nearly tropical conditions, when a thunderstorm ravaged Bordeaux on 19-20 September.

Fortunately a large percentage of the grapes had already been harvested. The grapes were unusually hot during picking and volatile acids caused problems for many vineyards during fermentation. The end result was an absolutely extraordinary vintage, which turned out to be magnificent, particularly on the right bank and in Sauternes. Even young, these reds were exceptionally drinkable. Their life-cycle, on the other hand, has been surprisingly varied. The Pomerol and Saint-Émilion wines have proven superior to Médocs and Graves.

The supreme wine of this vintage is most certainly the Château Cheval Blanc, which, in terms of mouthfeel, is perhaps the greatest wine of the entire 20th century. Why the Cheval Blanc was such an unparalleled success that year is something of a mystery. Unlike what happened to so many others, the Cheval Blanc didn’t suffer from excess volatile acids. Everything from vineyard microclimate to production have been offered as explanations. Because the weather was unusually warm, there were no damp morning mists at the vineyards, which restricted the conditions conducive to the formation of natural yeasts that increase volatility. The heat also killed natural yeasts and the quantity was generally less than normal. Fermentation was done in small concrete tanks, which provided effective insulation against the outside heat and kept temperatures sufficiently low, thus preventing the formation of volatile acids.

Another very interesting aspect of the Cheval Blanc’s production was its 5-10-year maturation in old barrels; this was due to the fact that new oak barrels were not available following the depression and war years. In all its glory, the 1947 Cheval Blanc caricatures modern winemaking as an incredible example of the pinnacles that can be reached with no help from technology. In addition to the Cheval, the Pétrus and Lafleur are vintage gems.


This tiny vineyard dates back to 1872, when Mr. Greloud, Mr. Jacques Guinaudeau’s forebear, owner of Château Le Gay, purchases the parcel of Mr. Bernier. Convinced of the greatest quality of these soils, he then concentrates on expressing the
excellence of his wines.
The legendary complexity of Château Lafleur comes from the diversity of its gravelly soils mixed with either sand or clay, and similar mixes of the subsoils. With the meticulous attention of Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau, helped by their son
Baptiste, the wines express the natural depth and complexity of this vineyard. A second wine, Pensées de Lafleur, is produced every year.

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Vintage 1947

Where the 1945 represents sophistication, nuance and classic character, the 1947 is all about richness, robustness and succulence. Spring was delayed that year, which meant a late start to the growing season. Summer warmed up toward the autumn and the abundant sunshine ripened the grapes very quickly. Daytime temperatures ranged between 35-38° C. The crop was finally harvested in nearly tropical conditions, when a thunderstorm ravaged Bordeaux on 19-20 September.

Fortunately a large percentage of the grapes had already been harvested. The grapes were unusually hot during picking and volatile acids caused problems for many vineyards during fermentation. The end result was an absolutely extraordinary vintage, which turned out to be magnificent, particularly on the right bank and in Sauternes. Even young, these reds were exceptionally drinkable. Their life-cycle, on the other hand, has been surprisingly varied. The Pomerol and Saint-Émilion wines have proven superior to Médocs and Graves. The supreme wine of this vintage is most certainly the Château Cheval Blanc, which, in terms of mouthfeel, is perhaps the greatest wine of the entire 20th century. Why the Cheval Blanc was such an unparalleled success that year is something of a mystery. Unlike what happened to so many others, the Cheval Blanc didn’t suffer from excess volatile acids.

 

Everything from vineyard microclimate to production have been offered as explanations. Because the weather was unusually warm, there were no damp morning mists at the vineyards, which restricted the conditions conducive to the formation of natural yeasts that increase volatility.  The heat also killed natural yeasts and the quantity was generally less than normal. Fermentation was done in small concrete tanks, which provided effective insulation against the outside heat and kept temperatures sufficiently low, thus preventing the formation of  volatile acids. Another very interesting aspect of the Cheval Blanc’s production was its 5-10-year maturation in old barrels; this was due to the fact that new oak barrels were not available following the depression and war years. In all its glory, the 1947 Cheval Blanc caricatures modern winemaking as an incredible example of the pinnacles that can be reached with no help from technology.  In addition to the Cheval, the Pétrus and Lafleur are vintage gems. 

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Average Bottle Price

2023 2020 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2005 2000 1995
3 210€ -12.5% 3 670€ +15.1% 3 188€ -4.0% 3 321€ +25.6% 2 645€ -8.0% 2 876€ +27.6% 2 254€ -48.7% 4 396€ +216.7% 1 388€ +12.8% 1 231€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Latest Pro-tasting notes

34 tasting notes

Tasting note

color

Medium, Brick red and Bright

ending

Long, Flavorful and Round

flavors

Blackberry, Cherry, Floral, Spice, Smoky and Blackcurrant

nose

Intense, Ripe, Complex and Charming

recommend

Yes

taste

Average in Acidity, High alcohol content, Medium tannin, Well-structured, Concentrated, Good texture, Mature, Medium-bodied, Ripe, Rich, Perfumed and Silky tannins

Verdict

Impressive and Fine

Written Notes

1947 Lafleur - The chances of having a real bottle of 1947 Lafleur is slim to none.  But on this magical weekend, Vandermeulen came through with a spectacular bottle of this wine; make sure your Vandermeulen bottles have an embossed label!  That is the lesson I learned on two occasions this week.  Concentration was what this wine was all about; it came with the expected richness and mouthfeel accordingly.  It dripped plums and prunes, chocolate and mocha.  It stood out even after the 45 Mouton that was my - spoiler alert – one of my favorite wines of 2021!  This wine was deep, deep inside, deep as the Milwaukee Bench, and that's not basketball talk, that’s oceanography!  Incredible wine!

  • 99p
This picturesque estate produces around 18,000 bottles per year which is less than half what its famous neighbour Château Pétrus does. The tiny production and great demand have made Lafleur wines hard to find. When it comes to this legendary wine from a superb vintage, it is almost impossible acquire. A peculiar thing with Lafleur is that the owners, the Robin family, have been producing this outstanding wine in very primitive conditions - in a barn with poultry and rabbits. This was changed only in 1984 when the barn was dedicated solely to wine production by Marie Robin’s cousins, the Guinaudeaus, who took over the estate. Château bottled with high-shoulder level. Decanted one hour. A moderately deep brick red colour with some cloudiness. Intense youthful nose of ripe red berries dominate the wine: cherries and brambles alongside raisins and floral tones. After a while more aromas are creeping out: spices, meaty nuances and tar – mainly secondary and tertiary aromas. The medium-bodied wine has crisp acidity and loads of dark fruits, cherries and wild strawberries. Tannins are powdery but elegant. The finish of the wine is very fresh and long with a mouth-watering effect. An astonishing satin-like texture!
  • 99p
Superb palate with so refined nuances, silky tannins, leathery flavours and sweet fruitiness. Amazing wine that would have been close to 100 points, but bit dusty and earthy beetroot aromas especially on the nose turned the wine to 96 points. Our dear friend 2-Michelin star chef Hans Välimäki would serve this with a classic Tournedos Rossini!
  • 96p
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Information

Origin

Pomerol, Bordeaux

Vineyard size

4.5

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Good

When bottled

1948-1950

Investment potential

Good

Fake factory

Every second bottle is a fake

Glass time

2h

Drinking temperature

16

Inside Information

Wine Advocate #95
Oct 1994
Robert M. Parker, Jr. 100 Drink: 1992 - 2032 $7000-$8787 (2500)
Tasted 4 Times With Consistent Notes

There are many 1947s that were bottled in Belgium. I have had the 1947 Lafleur Belgian bottling, which ranges from very good to occasionally outstanding. As good as it is, the chateau bottling, from which this tasting note emanates, can leave you speechless. This is an extraordinarily profound wine that surpasses Petrus and Cheval Blanc in this vintage, even though they can all be perfect wines. The 1947 Lafleur is more developed and forward than the 1949 and 1945. It reveals a thick, port-like color with slight amber at the edge. The nose offers a smorgasbord of aromas, ranging from caramel, to jammy black-raspberries and cherries, honeyed nuts, chocolate, and truffles. The wine's unctuosity and viscosity are unequaled in any other dry wine I have tasted. There is neither volatile acidity nor residual sugar present, something that many of the greatest 1947s possess. This wine's richness and freshness are unbelievable. The finish, which lasts more than a minute, coats the mouth with layers of concentrated fruit. There have been many great Lafleurs, but the 1947 is the quintessential expression of this tiny yet marvelous vineyard that was ignored by wine critics for most of this century.
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