Critic Notes
It’s appropriate, given his Burgundian leanings, that Baptiste Guinaudeau describes this as “our Premier Cru” rather than a second wine. This tends to come from the same plots every year at Lafleur. Nuanced, fine and refreshing with classic graphite notes from the Cabernet Franc and sweet berry fruit from the Merlot. So much more than the sum of its parts Apr 2016, www.timatkin.com, Drink: 2022-2032
Score: 95-/100Tim AtkinDrinking Window: 2022-2032
Fabulous balance and finesse with blackberry and blueberry. Hints of walnut and milk chocolate. Full body, seamless tannins and beauty. Super balance and length. 54% Merlots and 46% Cabernet. Mar 2016, www.JamesSuckling.com
Score: 94-95/100James Suckling
More than just a second wine. 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc from a single parcel. Lovely aromatic complexity with floral, spice, dark fruit and minty notes. The palate is creamy and suave, the fruit wrapping up a not insignificant tannic frame. Apr 2016, James Lawther MW, www.Decanter.com, Drink: 2023-2037
Score: 93-/100DecanterDrinking Window: 2023-2037
The 2015 Les Pensees de Lafleur is a blend of 54% Merlot, picked on September 21, and 46% Cabernet Franc that was picked on October 2. It has a broody bouquet with cranberry and raspberry coulis aromas, touches of dried herbs and brine developing with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with lightly spiced red berry fruit, vibrant in the mouth, very harmonious with superb precision on the finish. What a gorgeous deuxième vin from Baptiste Guinaudeau. Apr 2016, www.eRobertParker.com, Drink: 2018-2032
Score: 91-93/100Neal MartinDrinking Window: 2018-2032
54% Merlot picked 21 Sep and 46% Cabernet Franc picked 2 Oct. From a particular parcel in the Ch Lafleur vineyard - more clay than gravel. Edge of ruby on mid - but not that concentrated - crimson. Attractively toasty (Baptiste says 'burgundian'). Very round and mouth-filling. Super charming. Rich, even with a hint of Grenache! So sweet and scented. Hint of ink on the end. Very rich and seductive. Still some freshness too. Apr 2016, www.JancisRobinson.com, Drink: 2023-2032
Score: 17-/20Jancis RobinsonDrinking Window: 2023-2032
The 2015 Pensees de Lafleur is medium garnet-purple colored with a stunning nose of crushed black cherries, cassis and red currant jelly with lavender, charcuterie and truffles notions plus a waft of tobacco. The palate is medium to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and good concentration, finishing long and earthy. Apr 2018, www.robertparker.com
Score: 91-/100Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2015 Pensées de Lafleur emerges mostly from a single parcel on the property with deeper, clay rich soils. The Pensées offers striking aromatics although it is a bit less expressive on the palate. Still, there is good density and more than enough persistence through the finish to suggest the wine will develop into something more complete with more time in barrel. Apr 2016, www.Vinous.com
Score: 88-91/100Antonio Galloni
