2019, Château Lafleur, AOC, POMEROLBordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Franc. The 2019 Lafleur has a more fruit driven bouquet, perhaps a little less cerebral than its peers in this flight. Mulberry intermixed with pencil box and undergrowth. With aeration, thankfully, it does gain more nuance and complexity. The palate is medium bodied with fine grain tannins, symmetrical, quite austere with Early Grey, bay leaf and clove, superb crescendo towards the almost audacious finish. Stunning.

this is an impressive reference point

A big mouthful that is just so juicy and fun

in that gorgeous Siepi way where the aromatics hug you and draw you straight into the glass

with a mouthwatering finish

The palate is medium-bodied and quite saline with slightly chalky tannins

As readers may remember

This is the wine to go for in the Domaines Clarence Dillon stable this year

I love the upfront nature here

and the the 2022 is one of the best ever

Remarkably fresh

rich and inviting

Planted in 2004 on gravel