Les Perrieres de Lafleur 2022 (750ML)

95 JA / 94-96 JD / 94-96 WA / 94-95 JS / 93-95 WI / 93 DE / 92-94 VM / 16.5 JR

Vitality, freshness, grip and length, this is an unusual interpretation of the vintage, reflecting not only the limestone soils on this spot located in the Fronsac area (although not bottled under the AOC), but also the deft viticulture and winemaking that you find from the Guineaudeau family, and the high percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blend. The colour is still hitting the inky depths that you find everywhere in this year, but a blue fruit and steel character greets you on the opening, and the tannins are finely boned, leading to a saline signoff. Continues to prove that Les Perrières is one of the most interesting new ventures in the region. 33% new oak. -Jane Anson

The 2022 Les Perrieres De Lafleur comes from pure limestone soils (the same as in Saint-Emilion) and is 50% Merlot and 50% Bouschet. Its deep purple hue is followed by a Cabernet Franc-driven wine offering pure red and blue fruits as well as lots of floral, violet, and forest floor-like aromas and flavors. It's another medium to full-bodied, pure, seamless, impeccably balanced wine from this team that knocks it out of the park in the vintage. This is pure Fronsac brilliance.-Jeb Dunnuck

The 2022 Les Perrières de Lafleur shows just how adapted this higher-altitude site on the plateau of Fronsac is to warmer vintages. Wafting from the glass with aromas of mulberries and raspberries, sweet spices and rose petals, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with racy acids and a taut, mineral profile. It's another brilliant effort from this visionary project. -William Kelley, Wine Advocate

So much sea-salt and chalkboard character with blue fruit and dark earth. Full-bodied yet chewy and linear with excellent length and intensity. 50% merlot and 50% cabernet franc.-James Suckling

A blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc), Les Perrieres 2022 from Lafleur is deep garnet-purple in color. It skips out with bright, cheery scents of kirsch, fresh blackberries, and redcurrant jelly, leading to suggestions of rosehip tea, iron ore, and tilled soil, with an exotic touch of cardamom. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut and muscular, featuring a lively backbone and grainy tannins to support the vibrant red and black fruits, finishing long and chalky.-Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

Floral notes of peonies, violets and irises with milk chocolate, blackcurrant and plum - fresh and forward. Supple and forward, sleek, this is straight but nicely defined and weighty where the acidity is high and at the fore, bright, almost sour, cherry and strawberry that makes the mouth water with the tannins coming afterwards, slowly but surely giving the definition and the width. The energy comes and sustains the wine from start to finish with the high-toned fruit nicely contrasts the definition and character from the saline, graphite undertone and well integrated but firm and chalky tannins. Ends on a high with freshness and zing.- Georgina Hindle, Decanter

The 2022 Les Perrières is dense and somber in bearing. A blast of dark fruit races across the palate, followed by super-expressive spice, leather, gravel and leather accents. In most vintages, the Les Perries is more showy, but the 2022 is decidedly reticent and virile today. I can't wait to taste it from bottle.-Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Marked by the chalky, limestone terroir and fragrance and structure of the Bouchet. Fresh and floral. Firm but refined tannins. Saline note on the finish.-James Lawther MW, Jancis Robinson