Chateau Lafleur 2008

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted with Baptiste Guinaudeau, the 2008 Lafleur is a wine for which I have a lot of time, and as it approaches a decade old, it is beginning to loosen up a little. There is plenty of fruit on the nose—more than I have encountered on previous bottles, with a mixture of red and black fruit—and a hint of bell pepper and sage. The main difference is that those previously rigid tannin have loosened their collar in recent months; therefore, this Lafleur is now entertaining the notion of drinkability. There remains a linearity to this Lafleur—and there is still that backbone—yet it seems to flow nicely across the mouth, and there is superb mineralité on the finish. It´s probably destined to be overshadowed by the succeeding two vintages, but I suggest you do not overlook the 2008 Lafleur."

WEINWISSER: 18.5 RENÈ GABRIEL´S BX TOTAL: "Tiefgründiges, verschlossenes Bukett mit rote und blaue Beeren, Minze, Pralinen. Dichter, vielschichtiger, gut trockener Gaumen mit dichter Struktur, guter Frucht, viel gutem Tannin, sehr guter Aromatik. Sehr langer, dichter Abgang. 18.5/20 2017 - 2040"

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Quite deep. Cabernet Franc is very fine and elegant. Deep and concentrated crimson. Much more structure and harmony and completely subtle all the way through. Great silky depth. Sinew and long. So fine, so classical. Not super sweet, but lovely. Juicy. Concentrated. Muscular but not gawky. Very fine and harmonious. Herbs and black fruits but very subtle. Revitalising. Very fresh and very long. Elastic and energetic."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: 95 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Wow! Erotic cherries, truffle, chocolate, incense and spice grab your attention. On the palate, the wine is rich, concentrated, long, tannic, fresh and structured. Still young, the finish is fresh, with lingering sensations of spicy, fresh, cherries and plum. If you like wines young, feel free to pop a cork. I’m giving mine at least 10 more years."

WINE SPECTATOR: "A bright, fresh, very pure style, with raspberry and bitter cherry fruit flavors laced with judicious toast and a streak of red licorice. The nicely fleshy finish puts on weight as it airs in the glass, developing alluring notes of black tea and incense. Drink now through 2019."