In a difficult vintage like 2013, reassuring hands are what you look for, those with an instinctive ability to tease out the best possible from the character of the year. Weather wise things were pretty much the opposite of 2003, making for another interesting pairing in this line-up - where that was earliest harvest on record this was almost the latest, with everything brought in during October (unlike 2003 where every grape came in during September). The result here is not about weight but lift, nuance and sculpted berry fruits. It has a more softly spoken key than the 2010 or 2002, quite clearly, but there is complexity here, teased out in layers of medium-bodied but pure cassis and blueberry fruits. It's a clear testament to the possibilities of this estate. Drinking Window 2021 - 2045
Tasted by Jane Anson (at The Landmark Hotel London, 02 Nov 2019)
Part of Producer profile: Château Lafleur

Very pretty aromas of rose petal, lavender, black cherry and hot stone. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and enduring finish. A beautiful red for the vintage. Very Lafleur. - jamessuckling.com, February 2016

The reticent blackberry nose has lift and charm, and the palate is medium-bodied rather than intense and powerful. It's graceful and stylish, yet doesn't lack concentration and structure. Spicy oak marks the mid-palate, which has drive and persistence. Such is the attention to detail at Lafleur that this small property never seems to put a foot wrong, even in the most unpromising vintages.

The 2013 Lafleur was one of my favorite wines from barrel because, as Baptiste Guinaudeau remarked when I visited the property, he did not try to make a Pomerol beyond what it could be. The nose might not possess the complexity of the best vintages of Lafleur, but it is clearly delineated and fresh, with blackberry and raspberry fruit, a subtle granitic scent tucked underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin, as is often the case for Lafleur, with crunchy red berry fruit and a stony, almost reserved but fresh finish that lingers nicely in the mouth. This is an excellent wine considering the growing season. - The Wine Advocate #227, robertparker.com, October 2016

(55% cabernet franc and 45% merlot): Bright ruby-red. Captivating aromas of raspberry, violet, white pepper and green coffee bean. The vibrant flavors of red berries, citrus peel, minerals and soy sauce really resonate on the palate, with the finish bringing a strong saline nuance. This tougher-than-usual Lafleur lacks the charm of the great wines from this estate, but it will likely age better than most wines from this vintage.

Still quite blueish crimson. Another very light nose that only slowly emerged in the glass. Clean, dry and neat but pretty austere. Bone dry. The least exciting of the three ‘off vintages’ (1993, 2007, 2013) presented today. Embryonic. - jancisrobinson.com, May 2018

Tasted blind. Deep garnet. Dark and smoky. Fine texture but a bit lean in the middle for this level of wine. (JH)