Black earth, tile and blueberries. Violets. Floral. Orange peel. Orange blossom. Wet earth with iron. Medium to full body. Ultra-fine and polished tannins which are dense and compacted with a long finish. 57% merlot and 43% cabernet franc.

The 2022 Pensées de Lafleur unwinds in the glass with aromas of raspberries, plums, Indian spices, licorice and black truffle, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and harmonious palate that's seamless and layered, exhibiting beautiful balance and concluding with a long, perfumed palate. As readers will remember, 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.

You'll find the density of Pomerol in abundance here, along with creamy fruit on the opening beats, but as it travels through the palate things close in, and the salinity arrives. Has a fingerprint of the warmth of the vintage, with ripe figs and a ton of toasted spice, but give it time, and the power and focus breaks through, with fresher bleuberry and black cherry fruits appearing, and the linearity of the tannic construction. A touch of welcome bitter chocolate on the finish, and this is a thoroughly charming Pensées de Lafleur. Harvest began on September 3 through to September 17, 25% new oak.

The 2022 Pensées De Lafleur comes from a specific section of the estate vineyard in Pomerol and is 57% Merlot and 43% Bouchet. The soils here are more clay-driven compared to the more gravelly soils that make up the heart of the Lafleur terroir. Ripe black cherries, leafy green herbs, chocolate, and some obvious minerality define the aromatics, and it's medium to full-bodied, has a pure, seamless, incredibly elegant mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a great finish. A beautiful wine, it holds onto a vibrant sense of freshness, if not a certain sappy character.

The 2022 Les Pensees de Lafleur opens with striking aromatics. Bright red-toned fruit, wild flowers, mint, spice and blood orange are beautifully delineated. In 2022, the Les Pensees is especially sensual, with silky tannins that wrap it all together.