This is still quite solid, with a prominent tannic backbone that holds the core of damson plum, raspberry and black cherry fruit in line before driving the alder-, tea- and incense-fueled finish. Shows serious grip overall, but the core of fruit is a worthy match. Might be best to hold off here just a bit longer.--Non-blind La Fleur-Pétrus vertical (December 2015). Best from 2020 through 2030. — JM

Dazzling since birth, the 1995 has not lost a thing since bottling. A saturated dark purple color suggests a wine of considerable depth and concentration. The nose offers up gorgeous aromas of sweet kirsch intermixed with black raspberry, mineral, and smoky notes. Full-bodied, with superb richness and purity, loads of tannin, and a layered, multidimensional personality, this terrific La Fleur-Petrus is the finest wine I have tasted at this property in the twenty years I have been visiting Bordeaux. Readers may remember that I previously reported that a 10-acre old vine sector of Le Gay was sold to La Fleur-Petrus, increasing the latter's vineyard to 33 acres. I believe this 10-acre acquisition has beefed up La Fleur-Petrus, a fact particularly evident in this 1995. It is a splendid effort! Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025.

Very good medium-dark red. Currant and leather nose; aromatics currently dulled by the bottling. Lush and layered in the mouth, with compelling sweetness and texture. Flavors of red cherry, iron and mint complicated by game and leather notes that repeat on the very long finish. Slight suggestions of raisiny ripeness. Finishes with substantial tongue-coating tannins that are nicely buffered by fruit. Big, rich and impressive for this wine.

Blackish ruby. Very round and fresh. Sappy. Racy. Just right now! Long and satisfying. Ink and sweetness. Lovely stuff. Unforced. Biscuity. (JR)

Fragrant and just a little leafy on the nose. Definite and more obvious maturity on the nose than the Angélus. Super-fine texture, dry and fresh and elegant. Succulent and utterly drinkable now. Fine-boned and very long. So much pleasure. (JH)