Chateau Lafleur (Futures Pre-sale) 2010

"Very powerful wine with loads of Cabernet Franc character with dark fruits, blueberry and hints of spices. Licorice and flowers. Full and very powerful, intense is the word. It’s like a first growth from Paulliac. Incredible. Extreme, almost severe in style yet fabulous. 62% Cabernet Franc and 36% Merlot.
Barrel Sample: 99-100 Points "

100 Points

James Suckling

"Good, deep ruby-red. Deep, brooding but lively aromas of raspberry, strawberry, violet, licorice and minerals, plus an element of chocolate mint. Bright and fresh on entry, then shows a steely, austere quality to the strawberry, raspberry, tar and iodine flavors. Distinctly less floral and forward than the 2009. Strongly mineral on the long, pure back end, with ultrasmooth tannins; in fact, I would say that Lafleur's are the finest, most polished tannins of all in 2010. This is destined to be very long-lived. Incidentally, Baptiste Guinaudeau couldn't recall if any previous vintage of Lafleur had such a high percentage cabernet franc. My early candidate for wine of the vintage, along with Latour.
Barrel Sample: 96-99 Points "

99 Points

International Wine Cellar

"Almost gushing already, with cassis and blackberry fruit. Supersilky and refined, with an incredibly long, velvety finish. This has heft, but stays graceful.
Barrel Sample: 95-98 Points "

98 Points

Wine Spectator

"This tiny estate, run by the Guinaudeau family, has produced a 2010 Lafleur with the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc that they believe the estate has ever used (62% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot). An intense wine with sweet tannin, a dark ruby purple color, and pure black raspberry and cherry fruit, as well as hints of crushed rock and underlying subtle floral notes, the oak (which is never more than one-third) is completely concealed by the wines intensity. In spite of its power, great texture, and richness, the overall impression is one of elegance and freshness. The tannins seems sweet, but I suspect this wine will shut down and not be drinkable for at least 7-8 years but keep for 30-40.
Barrel Sample: 95-98 Points "

98 Points

The Wine Advocate