Chateau Lafleur   Lafleur

2013 Lafleur

By Chateau Lafleur

2013 Lafleur from Chateau Lafleur, Pomerol, Bordeaux

In the pantheon of Bordeaux's illustrious wines, the 2013 vintage of Lafleur from Chateau Lafleur undertook a formidable challenge posed by a capricious climatic year. The growing season was marked by whimsical weather, with a cool and wet spring, leading to a late flowering. Summer's deliverance was equally erratic, yet against such odds, this extraordinary Pomerol estate manifested a creation both resilient and refined.

 

A Study in Elegance Amidst Adversity

The 2013 Lafleur is demonstrative of the estate’s unwavering commitment to excellence despite a vintage many deemed difficult. It hails from the central plateau of Pomerol, where predominantly Merlot blends seamlessly with Cabernet Franc, creating a canvas where complex narratives of fruit and earth are painted.

This wine intrigues with its medium-bodied structure, presenting an aromatic panoply ranging from truffle-tinged earthiness to ripe berries and plums—a testament to the remarkable meticulousness invested in its expression. It could well be perceived as an artful study in balancing potential austerity with substantial grace.

 

Defying Expectations: A Wine Investment Insight

Skeptics might underestimate vintages like 2013, yet here lies the potential for astute investment. Connoisseurs yearning for wines with an immediate communicable charm will find joy in the serene complexity and approachability of this vintage. It reveals itself gradually, offering nuances that others might overshadow in more exuberant years.

The 2013 Lafleur illustrates how adversity can forge greatness; it's an eloquent narrative in glass form. On the palate, the blend offers measured tannins and a restrained oak influence that supports without overwhelming. Its poised finish whispers with soft-spoken longevity—a whispered promise of evolution for those who afford it patience in cellaring.

In summary, the 2013 Lafleur from Chateau Lafleur embodies a rare equilibrium amid irregularity—a collective encapsulation of winemaking resilience and Pomerol’s latent potential even in less heralded vintages. As much an acquisition for the cellar as it is for the discerning palate, this wine contributes unique nuance to the tapestry that is fine wine investment portfolio building.

Current market price

$3,080.00

12x75cl

Highest score

90

POP score

185

Scores and tasting notes

89-91

The dark ruby-colored 2013 Lafleur (55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot) displays excellent licorice and kirsch notes, medium body, and attractive purity and ripeness in a pretty, mid-weight style. It should drink nicely for 10-15 years.

This vintage's growing season – a cold spring, hot July and stressful September with high humidity with lots of pressure from botrytis forming in the red grapes – resulted in a small crop at Lafleur.

Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #214 Aug 2014

Vintage performance