Château LAFLEUR 2023

Description

William Kelley 98-100 points www.robertparker.com
The 2023 Lafleur is one of a small number of contenders for the title of wine of the vintage, and it’s one 2023 that appears to surpass its 2022 counterpart. Wafting from the glass with aromas of blackberries, cherries and plums mingled with hints of licorice, violets and mint, it’s full-bodied, deep and layered, with a concentrated core of lively, succulent, pure fruit framed by beautifully refined tannins, concluding with a long, fragrant finish. Its exquisite structure, intensity without weight and ineffable harmony mark it out as a great Lafleur, and one that will be worth a special effort to seek out. It’s a blend of 56% Cabernet Franc and 46% Merlot.

Jean-Marc Quarin 98 points www.quarin.com
Couleur sombre, intense et pourpre. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité et pur. Très « Lafleur » avec un fond complexe difficile à décrire. Il faut l’agiter pour y trouver des fleurs. Ultra aérien en entrée de bouche, gras et fondant au milieu, avec une classe folle dans le toucher et dans les arômes, le vin évolue juteux, noble magique et totalement incrachable. Très belle longueur savoureuse, sans une once de tannin. Assemblage : 54 % bouchet, 46 % merlot. Degré d’alcool : 14°2 – pH : 3,7.

Yves Beck 97-99 points www.yvesbeck.wine
Lafleur excelle dans son aptitude à révéler moult facettes, respectivement de la profondeur, de la complexité et de la fraîcheur ! Une sorte d’exercice de voltige entre des notes mûres et végétales auxquelles s’ajoutent des nuances de pivoines, d’épices et une subtile touche de torréfaction. En bouche, Lafleur ne cherche pas l’éclat, ce qu’il ne fait jamais d’ailleurs ; il se positionne au travers de sa sérénité, de sa force tranquille en bénéficiant de tannins puissants qui ont pour complice une acidité structurante. Finale persistante qui reprend les nombreuses facettes affichées par le bouquet. Un vin redoutable dans son aptitude à revendiquer sa puissance sans pour autant la mettre en évidence…  2029-2058

Neal Martin 97-99 points www.vinous.com
The 2023 Lafleur was picked from September 7 to 17 and is the usual blend of roughly equal parts Bouchets (Cabernet Franc) and Merlot. It has a very backward nose at first, only reluctantly opening. Tobacco and touches of shucked oyster shell surface with air. This is a more tertiary bouquet—completely different in style to the neighboring Pétrus. The palate is very linear and strict, like the nose, fresh with a tincture of dark chocolate and wrapped up with black fruit, black pepper and a touch of tea leaves toward the finish. The Bouchets is very expressive on the close, and it lingers beautifully. This is not a flamboyant Lafleur—it is very reflective of the growing season, perhaps a more cerebral wine that will be fascinating to observe as it ages. This is one of the few profound wines this vintage, yet it’s still a challenge. This is a wine for those who like cryptic crosswords and Pomerol. Drinking WindoW 2030 – 2065

Georgina Hindle 97 points  www.decanter.com
Dark ripe fruits and some savoury touches of tobacco, dark chocolate and clove with wet stones. Violets and irises come in after a few minutes. Nice depth and weight straight away, this has concentration but nothing overdone. Lots of freshness and zing, it’s finessed for sure and it’s impactful in terms of brightness and flavour, but it doesn’t have so much outward fleshy charm that it can have. It’s linear and straight with a slow expansion of elements that comes after a few minutes. Well crafted and long, this stays with you. Beautifully constructed for the vintage but not the most demonstrate which is quite usual for Lafleur. However, this has refinement and is a really ‘classic’ example. High acidity, bite and tang. It’s missing a touch of star power right now but there’s no doubt of careful sculpting and enjoyable bite.