The 2023 Chateau Lafleur Les Perrieres de Lafleur is a Bordeaux blend, exclusively Cabernet Franc this year, from the Fronsac region in Bordeaux, France. Produced by Chateau Lafleur, this wine is notable for its deep garnet-purple color and unique varietal composition, a first for this label. The wine comes with a cork closure.
James Suckling awarded it 96 points, describing it as “crunchy and pure with a black-cherry, orange-peel and mineral character.” He highlights the wine’s medium body and intensity, calling it “exciting” with a “salty, minerally and vivid” profile, attributing these qualities to its limestone soils.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also gave it 96 points, noting the “aromas of violet, dark wild berries, spices and licorice.” Yohan Castaing mentions its medium to full body, layered texture, and “powdery tannins,” concluding with a “saline, lead pencil-inflected finish.” He emphasizes its singularity, crafted entirely from Cabernet Franc.
Vinous provided a slightly lower score of 94 points. Antonio Galloni praises its bold, rich, and explosive nature, with “copious red-toned fruit” and “soaring floral and savory top notes.” He acknowledges its “gorgeous depth and textural richness” and “superb balance,” despite its idiosyncratic nature.
Jane Anson, scoring it 95 points, describes the wine as “fragrant tomato leaf, peony, fresh tobacco” with a “saline hit.” She notes that it is “austere” due to the limestone soils but highlights its “purity and vibrancy” and “huge energy, vertical lift.” She mentions the use of 33% new oak for aging.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown from The Wine Independent also awarded it 96 points, noting its “floral with scents of roses and lavender” and a core of “redcurrant jelly, black raspberries, and fresh black cherries.” She praises its “vibrant red berry and floral-inspired flavors” and “very fine-grained tannins,” calling it “stunning.”
Decanter gave it 95 points, highlighting its “violet, allspice, tomato leaf, dried herbs, tobacco” and “minty freshness.” They describe it as “juicy and lithe, clean and clear,” with “so many different elements” and “exceptionally long length.”
Overall, the 2023 Chateau Lafleur Les Perrieres de Lafleur has received excellent reviews, noted for its unique 100% Cabernet Franc composition, vibrant and pure flavors, and exceptional balance and depth.
