1 magnum per lot
Details
CHÂTEAU LAFLEUR
Lafleur is the quintessential Pomerol: flashy, fleshy and exotic. These attributes are taken to further heights of power, density and almost creamy old vine concentration with unique components of its own by the balanced cepage of half Cabernet Franc and Merlot (Malbec was phased out during the 1920s) grown in deep gravelly soil rich in iron, phosphorous, and potassium. Indeed, this pleasant seat was one of the first areas to be planted on the great Pomerol Plateau less than a furlong north of Pétrus. Many comments are forgotten in the auction room, but I always remember a client murmuring, "there is no such thing as a bad bottle of Lafleur." Lafleur has a track record of remarkable consistency and generally overachieves in mediocre and even poor vintages. It should be noted that the estate had a superb run during the region down years in the 1960s and 1970s. The focus on consistency is achieved by the tiny production of barely 1000 cases, many years labor tending tiny yields by the Robin family whose motto is "quality over quantity," and the marketing and management lent by the Moueix empire more recently. Small changes introduced to solidify the already remarkable quality include the introduction of a second wine and slightly increasing the amount of new oak. It is always at least that rare combination of heavenly richness and fine breed.
JC
Château Lafleur--Vintage 1945
Pomerol
Level: top shoulder; slightly bin soiled label corroded capsule, slight signs of old seepage
"Similar to the 1947 La Fleur in aromatic complexity and flavor, richness, and textural thickness, the 1945 is blacker in color, less evolved, and possesses a more classic structural profile than the port-like 1947. The 1945 tastes young, yet astonishingly unctuous, rich, and powerful. It will easily last for another 40-50 years. Will the 1975 turn out to be this memorable?" Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #95 (Oct 1994)
1 magnum per lot
Lafleur is the quintessential Pomerol: flashy, fleshy and exotic. These attributes are taken to further heights of power, density and almost creamy old vine concentration with unique components of its own by the balanced cepage of half Cabernet Franc and Merlot (Malbec was phased out during the 1920s) grown in deep gravelly soil rich in iron, phosphorous, and potassium. Indeed, this pleasant seat was one of the first areas to be planted on the great Pomerol Plateau less than a furlong north of Pétrus. Many comments are forgotten in the auction room, but I always remember a client murmuring, "there is no such thing as a bad bottle of Lafleur." Lafleur has a track record of remarkable consistency and generally overachieves in mediocre and even poor vintages. It should be noted that the estate had a superb run during the region down years in the 1960s and 1970s. The focus on consistency is achieved by the tiny production of barely 1000 cases, many years labor tending tiny yields by the Robin family whose motto is "quality over quantity," and the marketing and management lent by the Moueix empire more recently. Small changes introduced to solidify the already remarkable quality include the introduction of a second wine and slightly increasing the amount of new oak. It is always at least that rare combination of heavenly richness and fine breed.
JC
Château Lafleur--Vintage 1945
Pomerol
Level: top shoulder; slightly bin soiled label corroded capsule, slight signs of old seepage
"Similar to the 1947 La Fleur in aromatic complexity and flavor, richness, and textural thickness, the 1945 is blacker in color, less evolved, and possesses a more classic structural profile than the port-like 1947. The 1945 tastes young, yet astonishingly unctuous, rich, and powerful. It will easily last for another 40-50 years. Will the 1975 turn out to be this memorable?" Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #95 (Oct 1994)
1 magnum per lot