La Fleur Morange 2005

This wine has turned out beautifully from bottle, far superior to the impressive barrel samples! Sadly, production is limited to a mere 350 cases. Dense purple to the rim, with a superb bouquet of acacia flowers, blueberries, black currants, and crushed rocks, the wine’s oak component is completely obscured by the wealth of fruit and overall rich, concentrated style. As I have indicated in the past, this blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc emerges from a vineyard averaging 100 years of age. Yields are a tiny 21 hectoliters per hectare. This exquisite St.-Emilion should be accessible in 5-7 years, and last for 25 or more. Kudos to the brilliant oenologist, Claude Gros, who produced this masterpiece

The wine I liked best of all....(one that I thought might be Pavie).....turned out to be Ch La Fleur Morange, a tiny little garagiste property boasting particularly old vines in St Pey d'Armens on the way to Côtes de Castillon. We had never seen it in the UK (although it has already made quite a splash in the US). Blackish crimson right out to the rim. Thick and solid with admirable density and some real electricity in the wine. Very superior with lovely texture and masses of both sophisticated fruit and very fine tannin. Still extremely young and callow and yet the tannins have been so well managed that you could - infanticide - drink this wine now. Cool rather than hot on the finish. Very distinctive - in a good way! Dry as opposed to sweet. I think this may be Pavie but I still think it is very good wine!"

Produced from yields of 21 hectoliters per hectare, the 2005 La Fleur Morange is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, and the natural alcohol hit 15%. Sadly, there are only 350 cases. The wine’s huge minerality and extraordinary precision are undoubtedly attributable to the old vines. It possesses a dense purple color as well as a sumptuous bouquet of crushed rocks, quince, black currants, and boysenberries. This distinctive St.-Emilion boasts good acidity, massive concentration, a strong structure, and an amazingly long finish. The tannin has firmed up since last year, and the wine should last even longer than I originally anticipated. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030+. The well-known Claude Gros is the consulting oenologist at this small garagiste operation in St.-Emilion. The average age of the vines is ... get this ... 100 years!

Produced from 21 hectoliters per hectare, the 2005 La Fleur Morange, amazingly, achieved a natural alcohol content of 15%. The brilliant Claude Gros is the consulting oenologist for this cuvee, a 350-case garagiste offering. It boasts a saturated black/purple color in addition to a sweet perfume of blackberries, plums, licorice, pain grille, and spring flowers. With tremendous intensity yet soft tannin and stunning purity as well as definition, this prodigious effort represents a remarkable tour de force in winemaking. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2025.