winemaker's notes:
The chateaux of Pomerol were never officially classified but Chateau Lafleur is one of the top quality properties in Pomerol. It is perhaps the only chateau in Pomerol that can rival Chateau Petrus.
Lafleur has 4 hectares (about 10 acres) of vineyards composed of fine gravel with a layer of clay. The vineyards are planted with 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc with an average age of the vines at nearly 40 years. The planting density is 5,900 vines per hectare. Even though AOC regulations allow a yield of 40 hectoliters per hectare, the actual yield at Chateau Lafleur is closer to 1/2 that amount.
"This wine is a brilliant success, it is one of the stars of the vintage. Lafleur's 1999 is atypically powerful and concentrated, with an inky, saturated purple color followed by a sensational nose of black cherry jam intermixed with liquid minerals, raspberries, and licorice. It is super concentrated, extraordinarily pure, with moderately high tannin. This dense, powerful, impressively endowed wine should turn out to be a classic for Lafleur. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025."
-Wine Advocate
"Red-ruby. Exotic, liqueur-like aromas of cherry, raspberry and five-spice powder. Offers terrific size and volume on entry, then a major wave of lush, fat fruit. Impressively ripe and mouthfilling for the vintage. Finishes very long and ripe, with big, palate-dusting tannins. One of the richest wines of the vintage."
-International Wine Cellar 91-93