Chateau Lafleur - Les Perrieres 2020

JEB DUNNUCK: "In comparison to the Grand Village, the 2020 Les Perrières De Lafleur comes from more limestone soils, and the blend is more Cabernet Franc-dominated, checking in as 71% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc) and the rest Merlot. It has an absolutely head-turning bouquet of red and blue fruits, fresh tobacco, truffle, and spring flowers, and it shows this incredible sense of chalky minerality on the palate. Focused and medium to full-bodied, with both power and richness, it shows a much more finessed and elegant profile compared to the bigger, more opulent Grand Village. Give bottles just 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Unfurling in the glass with aromas of raspberries and cherries mingled with hints of rose petals and spices, the 2020 Les Perrières de Lafleur is medium to full-bodied, deep and velvety, with a concentrated core of fruit that's framed by beautifully refined tannins and animated by lively acids, concluding with a long, intensely mineral finish. As readers will remember, this exciting new project derives from holdings on the limestone plateau of Fronsac planted with massal selections from Lafleur."

DECANTER: "So perfumed, really quite floral with ripe black fruits and mineral touches on the nose. Such purity and power on the palate but weightless too, the flavours and texture float across the palate. It’s lean, almost austere if it weren't for the ripe fruit - blackcurrant, black cherry and touch of damson giving the layers. So much energy and persistence with structure, detail and precision. The mineral, chalky tang on the tongue gives the terroir definition while the florality, and ripe fruit flavours show off the beautiful Bouchet. Cool and refreshing - a beautiful and beguiling wine that needs time before it really shines."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Black cherries, cocoa, flowers, crushed rocks, black plums, and cocoa create the nose. On the palate, the wine is silky, lush, polished, fresh, and vibrant. The sense of minerality is strong. The finish reminds you of squeezing grapes over rocks and stones, giving you a chalky sensation that only adds to the sweet, ripe, red fruits. The wine lingers in the finish with its oceanic edge. This is setting a new mark for quality here. While you can enjoy this young, it is also able to age quite well. The wine is produced from 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot. Drink from 2025-2040."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A fresh and vivid red with sliced berry and cherry aromas and flavors with hints of chocolate. Salted caramel. Medium body. Fine tannins. Drink now."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Deep, bright colour. Floral aromatics. Ripe and rich but more linear in form, a cool perception from the limestone-clay soils pervading. Juicy fruit, the tannins fresh and even saline. Finish long and dry."