The 2018 Les Perrieres de Lafleur is a blend of 49% Merlot and 51% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it prances out of the glass with wonderfully gregarious notes of kirsch, Black Forest cake and wild blueberries, followed by hints of menthol, rose hip tea and underbrush. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with energy-charged red and black fruit layers, supported by exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Mmmm, that is good! This is the first vintage of this wine under its new name, and there's an interesting story behind the project. The Guinaudeau family had the vision to plant a new vineyard—in the hamlet of Meyney, on the southwest crest of the limestone plateau of Fronsac—to selected vine cuttings from their Lafleur vineyard in Pomerol, most notably, their prized "Bouchet" vines, which is the traditional name for Cabernet Franc in this area. For the first nine harvests in production, the wines were available under the "Acte" numbers. Now that the vineyard and the family's understanding of it have reached maturity, this new label is born.

The 2018 Les Perrières de Lafleur represents the second chapter for what were previously the Acte-series wines and emerges from Guinadeau family's 3.3 hectares of vineyards centered around the southern edge of Villegouges. The Perrières is distinguished in the Guinadeau family's range (especially the Grand Villages and Pensées de Lafleur) by vibrant, somewhat teunse underpinnings that give the plump fruit a striking kick of energy. Dark red cherry, mocha, spice, leather and tobacco all flesh out in the glass. The balance of Bouchet (Cabernet Franc) and Merlot is remarkable for such a young wine. The 2018 will spend 15-16 months in barrel. More importantly, it is an absolutely gorgeous wine.

The 2018 Les Perrières de Lafleur is the first vintage released under its new name (it was previously called “G Acte”). It presents a very well-defined bouquet, almost Côte de Nuits in style, hints of vanilla pod infusing the black cherry and raspberry coulis aromas. With aeration, hints of blue fruit begin to surface. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin at its core, very mineral-driven and consequently surfeit with tension. The finish eases off a little but offers pleasant grip. Excellent.

51% Cabernet Franc based on the Robin sisters' selection at Petrus picked 6 October, 49% Merlot picked 25 and 27 September from 3 ha on a clay-limestone plateau in the Fronsac hamlet of Meyney. 'The subsoil is occupied by ancient limestone quarry tunnels.' Shallow light clay on the top. Vinified in tank and concrete after hand-picking and triple sorting and then 15 months' ageing in barrels (one-third new). The nine wines from the Guinaudeaus called Acte were practices for this first vintage of Les Perrières. Mid purplish crimson. So this wine is to Ch Grand Village Rouge as Les Champs Libres is to Ch Grand Village Blanc. High toned and rather hedonistic on the nose. Mmm. Very sweet and rich. Much fatter and more luscious than the Grand Village. You could actually wallow in this tonight. Despite the high alcohol, this is a well-balanced, refreshing wine albeit with a hint of tarriness. The very fine tannins come into obvious play on the very end. (JR)