97+

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2009 Lafleur is intense on the nose with darker fruit than the 2009 Ausone: freshly tilled earth, touches of pressed rose petals and a subtle ferrous scent, involving and quite mercurial. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannin, velvety smooth and a cashmere texture. A mixture of blue and black fruit laced with spice leads to a very composed but powerful finish that lingers for 60+ seconds. This is only just beginning to show what it can do. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. März 2019

98

Stephen Tanzer

Vinous

Bright full ruby. Drop-dead gorgeous nose combines superripe strawberry, raspberry jam, black cherry syrup, brown spices, Oriental herbs and exotic oak. Extremely densely packed and energetic but already offering a satin-like texture and great early appeal owing to its sexy sweetness of superripe fruit. There's an almost pinot-like silkiness of texture to its red fruit and exotic spice flavors. The finish is very graceful yet lush, offering uncommon depth, complexity and charm. As amazing as the 2009 and 2010 Petrus are, I think these two vintages from Lafleur are the best pair of clarets made by anyone in 2009 and 2010. Simply put, this is yet another truly unforgettable wine. Juli 2012

99

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

An absolutely prodigious blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot, the 2009 Lafleur displays the tell-tale characteristics of this great estate. Kirsch liqueur, licorice and floral notes are intermixed with raspberry in a very full-bodied, super-intense, opulent and multi-dimensional style. Extraordinarily dense and pure, but not heavy by any means, the intensity, texture, and richness of the 2009 Lafleur are reminiscent of the perfect 1982. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040. Dezember 2011

100

James Suckling

James Suckling

This is a crazy nose of tangerines and blueberries, with raspberries and mushroom and berries. Full-bodied, with ultra fine tannins. This wine is all about texture, with phenomenal tannins and subtle fruits that just make you think. Evocative. It is layered, yet changes all the time. I can't believe it really. Speechless. Amazes me. Try in 2020. März 2012