Aromas of rose petals, raspberries, plums and musk introduce the 2021 Pensées de Lafleur, a medium to full-bodied, seamless and enveloping wine that's deep and sensual, it's ripe tannins entirely concealed in an ample core of succulent, pungently perfumed fruit. As I've written before, this cuvée derives from vines growing in the part of Lafleur's vineyard through which a water course once flowed and where the soils are richer in clay and better hydrated. It's a blend of 59% Merlot and 41% Cabernet Franc; this bottling hasn't really been a "second wine" since the late 1990s—but the market doesn't seem to have caught on.
William Kelley, April 2022

Fabulous pure wild raspberry nose, crushed strawberry and ripe plum. Intoxicating. So fluid, beautiful texture, fabulous intensity and concentration. Very fine, polished tannins, great freshness. Just so impressive.
April 2022

This has weight and volume through the mid palate, with blackberry and cassis fruits as it opens. Less joyous and generous than in recent years, the finish is closer to a classic Lafleur, in that it has clarity, salinity and sinew, and as it builds through the palate you get clear tannins. Great quality, a little atypical but one to look out for. No chaptilisation. Harvest September 28 to October 2. Merlot-dominant on clay-sand-gravel, classic Pomerol terroir.
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux, May 2022

The 2021 Les Pensées, from the tongue of clay in the gravel Lafleur vineyard, was picked on 28 September and 2 October. It has a wonderful bouquet with pure brambly red fruit, light graphite scents and just a touch of the estuary. The palate is beautifully proportioned with fine tannins, quite structured and saline, very mineral-driven and as fresh as a daisy towards the finish. Excellent.
Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2022

The 2021 Les Pensées de Lafleur is quite floral and lifted, with lovely aromatic presence, fine balance and plenty of charm. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit and blood orange lend brightness, with intense saline accents from the Bouchet (Cabernet Franc) that come through on the finish. Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022

Less density than some years but has the structure to age. Floral notes on the nose with a sweetness and volume of fruit on the palate. Tightens and drives on the finish. (JL) 13.5%
Drink 2028 – 2040
Jancisrobinson.com, May 2022