Lafleur 2016

Tasted in November 2021. 54% de Bouchets (local name for C. Franc) + 46% Merlot. A huge, huge wine, creamy, very concentrated, iron fist/hammer in velvety glove, incredible complexity and length, and mega long finish. Fantastic effort. Wow!

2016 Lafleur - If you're seeking a wine that lease you speechless, look no further. Combining power with richness, creamy tannins, waves of ripe, decadent, black and red plums and cherry sensations, this is off the hook. What makes 2016 Lafleur so good is its uniqueness of character. The wine is sensuous, but not overtly so. The wine is powerful, but not heavy. It is the countless layers of red fruits that keeps on coming making you take that second glass, to decide if this is really that good. The knockout punch comes from the unique exotic character with its kinky red fruits. You will need the funds of a multi-millionaire to buy this wine. But if you have the disposable income, or have friends that do, this is a legend in making. 100 Pts

The 2016 Lafleur is a deeply serious Pomerol that is going to need considerable cellaring. Almost opaque in the glass, it has an almost overwhelmingly intense bouquet of blackberry, oyster shell and touches of graphite; quite strict, just as it showed at en primeur, and utterly compelling. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy tannin. A typically masculine Lafleur delivering firm grip, a lot of backbone and depth, wonderful mineralité and a persistent saline finish with the length of War and Peace. Cellar this Lafleur for at least 15 years if you want to witness it firing on all cylinders. Drink 2030-2080.

The 2016 Lafleur is a blend of 45% Merlot and 55% Cabernet Franc picked 24-30 September and 11 October, matured in one-third new oak and around 14.3% alcohol. It has a very backward bouquet that demanded a lot of coaxing from the glass. Here there are introspective black fruit, a touch of shucked oyster shell and Japanese nori, opening reluctantly with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a saline entry, spicier than the 2015 Lafleur when I tasted it from barrel last year, edgy and minerally with a touch of truffle towards the persistent finish. This is a cerebral and yet vivacious Lafleur at this prenatal stage, a great Pomerol that will require a decade in bottle. Baptiste Guinaudeau appeared quietly confident about this latest vintage and he has every right to be. Do afford it plenty of cellaring, though, as it's not a 2016 to appease those without patience. Drink 2026 - 2060.
Score: 96/98