Big Reputation, Small Property

Château Lafleur has a reputation second only to Château Pétrus for producing great ageworthy Pomerol. Yet with an annual production averaging just 1,000 cases, the wines are seldom seen commercially.

Rare Wines Quickly Assembled, Tasting Quickly Sold

This tasting began with an opportunity to purchase a bottle of the rare 1945 vintage at a Christie’s auction. The lot was part of a collection of wine from the 1920s 30s and 40s which had lain undisturbed for over 20 years. Neal Martin helped source more recent vintages via his numerous contacts, and Christie’s supported the tasting, providing the 1979, 1978 and 1975 from their own collection in lieu of places at the tasting. So, for such a rare wine, in no time at all this vertical was assembled.

An email out to our list and this tasting was sold in an afternoon.

Background

Neal Martin has written very good background notes on this château, here.For his account of this tasting event and for his tasting notes, click here.

The Tasting

With the exception of a rather poor showing of the 1994, these wines were excellent. These are not soft flowery, easy Pomerols, but rich, brooding, concentrated and tannic ones. The 1993 proved the dark horse, being ripe, mellow and charming – even being one taster’s pick for ‘wine to take to dinner’ from our tasting.

1985 Tops Favourites

While it may have been reasonable to the wines with the biggest acclaim to triumph in this tasting – the 1979, 1975 or 1945 for example – it was the 1985 that got the solid vote at this tasting for wine of the night, with 8 votes (the 1975 and 1945 getting 4 votes apiece). The 1985 got even more votes for ‘wine you would take to dinner’, with 11 votes (with the 1975 slipping to 2 votes and the 1945 to just 1. Perhaps this can be interpreted to mean those tasters thought the 1975 and 1945 aren’t yet ready?! Well, both were certainly very tannic.)

Anticipation as the cork comes out of the '45.