The 2023 Les Pensees de Lafleur, a Bordeaux Blend from Pomerol, France, is a well-regarded red wine produced by Chateau Lafleur. This vintage features a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc (also known as Bouchet). The wine has received high praise from various professional reviewers, highlighting its complexity and depth.
James Suckling awarded the wine an impressive 97 points, noting its "silky and totally integrated" tannins. He describes it as "lifted and weightless," with flavors of citrus fruit, blueberries, and a hint of tile and ceramic. Suckling emphasizes the wine's ability to "caress your palate" and appreciates its long and tight finish (jamessuckling.com).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rated the wine highly, giving it 96 points. William Kelley highlighted its "deep aromas of cherries and dark berries mingled with violets, orange zest, and spices." Kelley praises the wine's "broad attack" and "fleshy, layered core," underpinned by "rich, powdery tannins" and a "long, harmonious finish" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate).
Vinous, with a score of 94 points, remarked on the wine's "minerally bouquet" and "impressive concentration and freshness." Neal Martin noted flavors of "black plum and a touch of dark chocolate," with a "slightly granular texture" and a finish marked by "cracked black pepper" (Vinous).
Jane Anson gave the wine 93 points, describing it as having a "gorgeously rich texture" and "mouthwatering salinity on the finish." She noted the presence of "black cherry and raspberry fruit" and appreciated the "concentrated notes of fennel and mint" (janeanson.com).
The Wine Independent also rated the wine at 96 points, with Lisa Perrotti-Brown highlighting its "deep garnet-purple color" and "powerful notes of juicy black plums, wild blueberries, and raspberry preserves." She noted the "very fine, silky tannins" and the wine's "alluring freshness" with a "very long and earthy" finish (The Wine Independent).
Decanter gave the wine 93 points, praising its "floral" notes and "gentle power." The review described it as "pure and velvety," with flavors of "strawberry juice with a graphite minerality" and "succulence" (Decanter).
Overall, the 2023 Les Pensees de Lafleur is a highly acclaimed Bordeaux Blend, notable for its rich complexity, balanced structure, and long-lasting finish.