2004 Chateau La Fleur-Petrus, Pomerol

Ooh - I like this. A very ripe, complex nose of black fruit, tobacco and burnt toast. A ripe, tannic palate with good fruit concentration. Balanced and harmonious. Moderate grip. An engaging wine with an irony finish. This will be fascinating to taste after bottling. Great potential. Again in London in the same month. A very fragrant nose of ripe black fruit and tobacco. Very intense. The palate has great definition with ripe, black fruits and sturdy tannins. Blackberry, here a hint of liquorice. Moderate grip and quite irony on the finish that has very good length. An excellent Lafleur-Petrus. Tasted April 2005.

Performing better from bottle than it did from barrel, this is a classic, elegant La Fleur-Petrus (in contrast to the blockbuster 2006) offering hints of kirsch liqueur, soy, and resiny pine forest notes. Elegant, medium-bodied, fresh, and pure, it is best drunk over the next 14-15 years.

Full red. Slightly medicinal aromas of redcurrant, plum, chocolate and herbs, along with a peppery nuance. Supple in texture but a bit subdued, with restrained sweetness and notes of herbs and minerals. I find this in an awkward stage today, and a tad dry and green on the back, but there's firm spine and sneaky flavor intensity here.