Château Lafleur 2014

Chateau Lafleur is a tiny Pomerol estate held by the same family since 1872, long rated among the appellation's finest alongside Vieux Chateau Certan and Petrus. Its character comes from an unusual high share of Cabernet Franc blended with Merlot, a balance fixed when the old Malbec was replaced in the 1920s. The vines average around forty years on a mix of gravel and clay, planted densely at roughly 6,000 to 7,500 per hectare so roots compete and yields stay low. Gravel gives the wine its aromatic Cabernet Franc lift and finer tannin, while patches of clay add the Merlot flesh typical of Pomerol. Ageing is around 14 months in French oak, a measured period that settles the tannin through slow oxygen exchange without masking the perfume. The 2014 comes from a cooler, classically structured vintage. It is deep ruby with a nose of red cherry, redcurrant and plum over violets, tobacco and damp earth. The palate is full and firm, with fine-grained tannin and a long savoury finish built for the cellar. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant two hours ahead. It suits roast beef, game and lamb.