2001 Chateau Lafleur, Pomerol, Bottle (750ml)

JA98 "This captures the magic of Lafleur and is utterly moreish. It is so silky, with hints of truffle, tobacco and sweet blackberry fruits from the first sip, opening up to violet flowers and drawn-out finely spun tannins. It’s at a beautiful moment for drinking now, but clearly has a long life ahead of it. 2001 was a vintage that suited the Merlot grape and tasting this as a pairing with the 2002 is a brilliant way to explore the two sides of Lafleur's personality. The vintage was not released en primeur as it came along during the handover of ownership from the Robins to the Guinaudeaus, which is why there is still wine at the estate to share during the vertical." JA for DR Nov 2019

NM96 "Tasted from an ex-chateau bottle at the Lafleur vertical dinner at Attersee in Austria, the 2001 is destined to be over-shadowed by the imperious millennial Lafleur. But do not ignore this fabulous Pomerol. It has a brilliant bouquet rich in minerals that infused the pure blackberry and raspberry fruit. It seems to shimmer in the glass, offering hints of violet and crushed rose petals with continued aeration. The palate is full-bodied and struck through with a crisp seam of acidity that slices through the multi-layered, tobacco tinged blackberry and dark cherry fruit, before fanning out to a vivacious, almost Pauillac-like finish. This is a wonderful Lafleur destined for long-term ageing. Tasted June 2012. (NM-Wine Journal Published: Sep 29, 2013)