Very long and textured with blackberry, mineral and walnut character. Turns to violets. Full-bodied, very firm and silky. Love the balance and length. This is half merlot and half cabernet franc. Second wine of Lafleur. Better than the 2015? - March 2017

The second wine from this estate is also brilliant and doesn’t give much to its bigger sibling. The 2016 Pensées de Lafleur offers a gorgeous bouquet of mulberries, cassis, and damp earth that flows to a medium to full-bodied 2016 that has more than a hint of the character, elegance, and purity that the estate’s grand vin is known for. With flawless balance and an utterly seamless texture, drink this brilliant second wine any time over the coming 20-25 years

The second wine of the phenomenal, tiny-production Lafleur. Often reaches heights which would put many grand vins to shame. Fabulous definition and precision on the nose, veering from dark fruits to strawberry and saline, nori seaweed characters. Beautiful sweet fruit, very fine but firm tannins, so silky! Perfect balance of acidity and fruit holds the finish up long and pure. Hugely impressive. - April 2017

From the clay-dominant sector of the Lafleur vineyard, the power of this wine is clear from the attack. It's vivid and full of flavour and complexity, showing great character that's full of intent. Those bristling tannins tell you this has no intention of being defined as a second wine. Succulent finish. This will age slowly.

Blended of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Pensées de Lafleur opens with bold, tantalizing notes of crushed black cherries, wild blueberries and plum preserves with hints of kirsch, violets, dark chocolate and licorice with a waft of forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate is amazingly elegant for the intensity of fruit with beautifully ripe, finely grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and layered.

The 2016 Les Pensees de Lafleur is a blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Franc this year, picked 30 September and 12 October and matured in around 20% new oak. It has a very crisp, tightly wound bouquet that opens wonderfully in the glass, revealing blackberry, crushed violets and iris--very nuanced. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, plenty of truffle tinged black fruit fused with pencil lead notes, seguing into a very structured and persistent finish, with a long and peppery aftertaste. "A serious Pensées..." Baptiste Guinaudeau commented. Too right. - Wine Advocate #230, April 2017

A gorgeous second wine, the 2016 Pensées de Lafleur will give readers a very good idea of what the vintage is all about at Lafleur. Layered and pliant, with lovely aromatic brightness that plays off the fruit, the 2016 is incredibly delicious today. In 2016, the Pensées is a wine of pure and total pleasure. - vinous.com, April 2017

Dark crimson. Very pure and non second-wine-like. Amazingly sophisticated. Beautiful texture. Just a little short but beautiful on the way. Cool end. Drink 2023-2033. - jancisrobinson.com, April 2017

So opulent and ripe after a flight of traditional left-bank bordeaux – emphasises Pomerol’s opulent side. On the palate it becomes almost confected, certainly helped along by heady vanilla oak scent. The finish is perhaps too obviously oaky at present, but there is still primary fruit yet to evolve, so there’s no hesitation to cellar this longer. (RH)