Chateau Lafleur – a Cabernet Franc story
With a vineyard spanning just 4.5 hectares, it’s a fraction the size of its neighbors – Petrus covers about 11.5 hectares, while Château Lafite Rothschild in Pauillac spans over 100 hectares. Annual production is ca. 12’000 bottles. This has unfortunately a big influence on the price, ranging from 450€ (vintage 2013) to 2000€ (vintage 2000).
What sets Lafleur apart is its distinctive blend: an equal split of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the latter being particularly rare in Pomerol. This high proportion of Cabernet Franc contributes to the wine’s structure, freshness, and aromatic complexity, distinguishing it from its Merlot-dominant peers. The vineyard’s diverse soils – ranging from gravelly clay to sandy gravel – further enhance the wine’s character, offering a unique expression of Pomerol’s terroir. Lafleur was founded in 1872 by Henri Greloud, Lafleur has remained under the stewardship of his descendants. In 1984, Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau took over the estate, eventually acquiring full ownership in 2002. Today, their son Baptiste and his wife Julie continue the legacy, focusing on precision viticulture and minimal intervention to produce wines of exceptional purity and longevity. French wine critic Jean-Marc Quarin has noted that particularly since 2015 the quality has been raised to another level through this precision in the vineyard and cellar.
We tasted blind through vintages starting in 1986 until 2020 and I found the wine to be rather good than great. Given the price, not something I would put in my cellar, preferring Trotanoy, Lafleur-Petrus and Figeac on the right bank. My scores may be 1-2 points too low as we tasted on a damp, cloudy day, which usually has an influence on the brightness of the fruit.
As always, a meticulously prepared tasting in Fribourg
Tatsting Notes
Flight 1
1989 Château Lafleur 88 Points
Savory, earthy bouquet with notes of tree bark, Maggi, and a touch of oxidation. Fruit has faded; the palate is drying and lacks energy. Time to drink up, fell apart quickly in the glass.
1999 Château Lafleur 90 Points
Resinous and earthy on the nose, with faint red fruit peeking through. Dry and tertiary on the palate, showing more life than the 1989, but still nearing the end of its drinking window.
2009 Château Lafleur 96 Points
Beautifully expressive nose of pine, sandalwood, and blackberries. Deep and complex, with polished tannins and ample fruit to support the structure. A complete wine.
2019 Château Lafleur 95 Points
Limited aromatics, still primary with dominant notes of vanilla and oak. Youthfully elegant on the palate with refined structure. Upside from here once the oak resolves. 94–96
Flight 2
1998 Château Lafleur 94 Points
Ripe, rich aromatics with notes of red fruit, coffee, and cranberry. The palate is elegant and well-balanced, with good depth and gentle sweetness. A harmonious showing. 94+
1986 Château Lafleur 91 Points
Bright nose of red cherry, pine, and forest floor, showing surprising freshness. Palate is vibrant with firm acidity, though the tannins finish a touch dry. Kept remarkably well, but drink soon.
2001 Château Lafleur 93 Points
Sweet red berry fruit and raspberry bonbon on the nose. Polished tannins and a soft, supple texture make this charming and precise, though slightly lacking in complexity. Drinking beautifully now.
2002 Château Lafleur 91 Points
Savory, earthy nose with pine and undergrowth. Palate is mature and more evolved than the 2001, with moderate complexity and a rustic character. Solid, if not thrilling.
Flight 3
2000 Château Lafleur 96 Points
Expressive bouquet of red cherry, cranberry, and truffle, layered with spice. A dense, complex palate with lively acidity, balanced tannins, and a long, savory finish. In a great place today.
2003 Château Lafleur 94 Points
Ripe, sweet nose of figs, licorice, and toasted oak, very much of the vintage. Richly extracted, but the heat is well-handled; tannins slightly drying but offset by generous fruit. A bold, seductive Lafleur.
2005 Château Lafleur 93 Points
Dark fruit, pine, and a touch of Maggi on the nose, with slight oxidative hints. Dense and powerful, but extraction and oak slightly overwhelm finesse. Structured, but lacks the poise of top Lafleurs.
2010 Château Lafleur 96 Points
Youthful nose with restrained fruit and subtle spice. Palate is elegant and light-footed for the vintage, with refined tannins and a cool, understated finish. Very promising. 96+
Preparation for the blind tasting, which vintage will come in on top?
Flight 4
2004 Château Lafleur 94 Points
Attractive nose of red fruit, pine, and cranberry. Well-balanced, with spice and an elegant, linear palate. A refined success in a modest vintage.
2006 Château Lafleur 90 Points
Torrefied, ripe nose with dark fruit and roasted coffee. Compressed palate, extracted and lacking finesse, though free of oxidation. Slightly coarse—best to drink soon.
2008 Château Lafleur 95 Points
Beautifully perfumed nose of red fruit, florals, and truffle. The palate is precise and harmonious, with surprising charm and polish for the vintage. A standout 2008.
2011 Château Lafleur 91 Points
Simple red fruit nose, a little dilute on the mid-palate. Tight tannins on the finish but lacking in depth and energy. Underwhelming today.
Flight 5
2015 Château Lafleur 93 Points
Ripe, rich nose of dark fruit, plum, and chocolate. Lush palate in a Californian mold, with good depth but edging toward over-ripeness. Well-made, but stylistically bold. No my style, too ripe for me.
2016 Château Lafleur 96 Points
Delicate aromatics of red and black cherry, still primary. The palate is focused and precise, with superb tension and detail. Elegant and beautifully balanced. Potential to gain further. 96+
2018 Château Lafleur 95 Points
Dense, ripe nose of dark fruit and warm earth, but well judged. Structured and plush, with commanding tannins and freshness. A strong showing in a challenging vintage.
2020 Château Lafleur 94 Points
Primary aromatics of red and black fruit, with integrated oak. Palate shows balance and poise, though youthful green notes linger on the finish. Needs time. 94 for now with upside from hear. Open not before 2030.
Flight 6
2012 Château Lafleur 90 Points
Lean red fruit nose with asparagus hints pointing to under-ripeness. The palate is modest, with slightly firm tannins and limited depth.
2017 Château Lafleur 93 Points
Red fruit and well-integrated oak on the nose, with good freshness. Palate shows moderate ripeness and a drying finish, but more poise than peers in this flight. 93-95
2013 Château Lafleur 89 Points
Dark fruit and a light, simple palate. Aromatically and structurally modest, confirming the challenges of the vintage. Disappointing at this level.
2014 Château Lafleur 92 Points
Pleasant nose of red and dark fruit. Light-bodied but well made, showing solid balance and drinkability. A quiet success.
Author: Christian Raubach, WSET III, FWS, WSG Champagne Master
April, 2025
