Lafleur 2011 (6.0L)

97 JS / 96 DE / 18 JR

Complex aromas of blackberry and whole white truffles with hints of wet earth and stones. Full body and structured with gorgeous, velvety tannins, but reserved and polished. Very long finish with fabulous fruit. Goes on for minutes. This is all class: the red wine of the vintage. Better in 2019. James Suckling

This Lafleur effort in 2011 is truly stupendous and once again shows the greatness of its terroir. This was one of the driest vintages on record here and the berries were incredibly small, giving concentrated juice. The extraction, however, has been done with great skill, and the wine is beautifully fresh, balanced and textured. Deeply coloured, the primary black fruit nose builds and builds in the glass. A blend of 53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot, there's real depth and complexity with plush, polished tannins and a concentration of delicious dark fruits - plum, mulberry and damson - joined by touches of dark chocolate, cured meat and spice. It's still very much in its first flush of youth and is not even close to being broached.-John Stimpfig, Decanter

A little note of mint here too, from the Merlot, but there's also a dark-fruited sweetness and a note of red cherry, small berries, and a hint of something floral. Fragrant. And a dusty minerality. Utterly fresh, so fleeting, it seems, on the palate but then it goes on and on. Starts dry and grows softer on the finish. There's a dark but lightweight minerality. So, so long.-Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson