Les Pensées de Lafleur 2009

The Guinaudeau family has produced what is arguably their finest wine at Lafleur in 2009. A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc from a portion of the vineyard that sits in a swale, the 2009 Les Pensees de Lafleur has terrific purity, a serious level of concentration, impressive notes of melted licorice and kirsch liqueur, and a full-bodied mouthfeel. While its tannins are soft, the wine boasts plenty of glycerin and leaves an impressive tactile impression. Drink it over the next 20-15 years.

The 2009 Pensées de Lafleur has a high-toned bouquet with pretty red cherry and crushed strawberry scents, nicely defined if not complex. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a little honeyed in texture and smooth towards the almost Burgundian finish. Very fine, although it showed better four years ago. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. 2019 - 2030

Dark chocolate, black cherry and blackberry. Full-bodied, with very silky tannins and lots of chocolate and berry flavors. I love the length to this; it goes on for minutes. Second wine of Lafleur.

Deep crimson, 50/50 Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Very heady and rich and aroma of foxgloves. Lively and fresh and zesty. Much more aérien than most right-bank 2009s! Polished and racy. Animal and lively. Graceful but a bit dry on the end but seriously good wine. 'More serious than usual', says the son. Certainly very structured. Date tasted 30th March 2010. Drink 2015-2025.