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. Drinking Window 2019 - 2050
Tasted by Jane Anson (at The Landmark Hotel London, 02 Nov 2019)
Part of Producer profile: Château Lafleur

The 2001 Lafleur was tasted directly from bottle with Baptiste Guinaudeau. Opens gradually on the nose with brambly red fruit, black truffle, mint and touches of iron and sage. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins; it's very ferrous in style, and the Cabernet Franc is in the driving seat. A little savoury towards the finish, with residues of black pepper and white pepper towards the finish.

This wine starts out very tight, with fresh herb and tobacco character, but then it opens to ripe plum, berry and chocolate character. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. Impressive. Lafleur is always outstanding. Best after 2009. 1,000 cases made. — JS

Performing slightly less impressively from bottle than it did from cask, this wine’s Cabernet Franc element has come forward, revealing a distinctive herbal, bell pepper, vegetal character that kept my score from going higher. Nevertheless, there is plenty to like about this 2001 Pomerol. It possesses a saturated ruby/purple color, powerful aromas (kirsch liqueur, raspberries, and blackberries), an earthy, muscular, chunky character, and the most tannic personality of any Pomerol I tasted. While not the huge blockbuster Lafleur can often produce, it is well-built. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019.

Robert Parker''s Wine Advocate 30/06/2004

Performing slightly less impressively from bottle than it did from cask, this wine’s Cabernet Franc element has come forward, revealing a distinctive herbal, bell pepper, vegetal character that kept my score from going higher. Nevertheless, there is plenty to like about this 2001 Pomerol. It possesses a saturated ruby/purple color, powerful aromas (kirsch liqueur, raspberries, and blackberries), an earthy, muscular, chunky character, and the most tannic personality of any Pomerol I tasted. While not the huge blockbuster Lafleur can often produce, it is well-built. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019.

There is plenty to like about this 2001 Pomerol. It possesses a saturated ruby/purple colour, powerful aromas (kirsch, raspberries, and blackberries), and earthy, muscular, chunky character, and the most tannic personality of any Pomerol I tasted. While not the huge blockbuster Lafleur can often produce, it is well built. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019. (92+)

Red-ruby. Somewhat sauvage aromas of blackberry, roasted plum, licorice, cola, tobacco and game, with obvious leafy cabernet franc character. Seemed less concentrated and sweet than the 2001 Trotanoy it followed, finishing with very good rather than outstanding length and rather pronounced tannins. Has the underripe/overripe character that I often find even in strong Lafleur vintages, but this would appear to be a very good rather than outstanding effort.

63% Merlot. Dense and bright. Opened-out nose with some glamour and floral top note. Soft tannins and with great drive and poise. Real precision but some bright fruit in the middle. So different from most Pomerols. Great energy. (JR)