Château La Fleur-Pétrus
Château La Fleur-Pétrus 2018
Pomerol
From a wine of utter charm, La Fleur-Petrus has through the developments of the last 20 years become a wine of profound depth and complexity, all the while retaining its irresistible, seductive edge. You could even call it the archetype of Pomerol.
Today the estate is composed 90% of Merlot with an average vine age of 30 years and 10% of Cabernet Franc with an average vine age of 50 years. Christian Moueix’ obsessive work in the vineyard focuses on sap flow and the treatment of each vine individually. In the cellar, vinifications are extremely precise but quite traditional.
Vineyard
The 2018 vintage is comprised of all 3 plots of LFP, all situated within 1,500 feet of each other, at the highest elevation of Pomerol alongside the other top properties of the appellation. LFP 1, the original block, is made up of large gravelly soil with an iron-rich underlayer, drained by its northerly slope. The great elegance of the wine is what made LFP’s quality reputation, and gave it the distinction as Pomerol’s seductress, if you will. LFP 2 sits in the center of Pomerol and is made up of gravelly clay, which along with the greater warmth the particular block receives, results in a wine of tremendous suppleness and dark fruit character. LFP 3, the southern plot, has a remarkably fine, deep gravelly soil, with natural drainage toward the south, and produces a velvety, dense and structured wine.
Another important point, LFP was the first property to plant Petit Verdot after regulations allowed its planting in order to offset current and future heat increases. Today the estate is planted 91% to Merlot, 6% to Cabernet Franc, and 3% to Petit Verdot.
Winemaking
In the cellar, vinifications are extremely precise but traditional: vinification in concrete and stainless steel, aging in oak barriques for 18-22 months (50% new) with great care to limit oxidation.
Tasting Note
The wine has its trademark focused and elegant red fruit complemented by the black and earthy fruit, power and depth the wine has taken on in recent years. The tannins and structure build and unfold so gracefully, it is the epitome of what great Pomerol should display.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Appellation
Pomerol
Alcohol
14.5%
Reviews
"Savory and dark earth"
Wine Spectator - June 18, 2021
"This offers a dark hued mix of plum, blackberry and black currant fruit that rolls through unwinding to show anise, warm stone and tobacco notes as it does. Savory- and dark earth-tinged finish echoes lengthily." - J.M.
"The most gorgeous, velvety texture"
Wine Advocate - June 18, 2021
"A blend of 91% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2018 La Fleur Petrus has a medium garnet-purple color and a slightly closed-down nose to begin, soon unfurling to reveal earthy notions of black truffles, mossy tree bark and damp soil, over a core of plum preserves, wild blueberries and redcurrants, plus a fragrant waft of menthol lilacs. The medium to full-bodied palate has the most gorgeous, velvety texture with well-knit freshness giving lift to the densely packed black fruit and earthy layers, finishing with a beguiling perfume. Stunning. Give it a goof 3-4 years in bottle and drink it over the next 30 years or more." - L.P.B.
"Dazzles with magnificent richness"
Vinous - June 18, 2021
"The 2018 La Fleur Petrus is positively rapturous, just as it was from barrel. Mother nature appears to have taken all the signatures of this site and turned up the volume. Loud. Rich and beautifully layered, La Fleur Petrus dazzles with magnificent richness and a finish that is sternal. Blood orange, mint, roe petal, spice and sweet red berry fruit build over time. I can't remember tasting a better young La Fleur-Petrus. Give it a few years to shed some baby fat. Magnificent." - A.G.
"Powerful while impressively subtle"
Wine Enthusiast - June 18, 2021
Editors' Choice
"Situated on some of the finest terroir in Pomerol, this estate has produced a powerful while impressively subtle wine. Black fruits, rich tannins and strength come together in a wine that is much more than its elements. Aging will bring out the wine's character." - R.V.
"Gorgeous, ripped and muscular"
Decanter - June 18, 2021
"There is ton to enjoy here. It's gorgeous, ripped and muscular, with beautifully sculpted fruits as it opens. Some over-concentration on the finish perhaps, with slight fig and prune notes against the juicier damson and black cherry. Still, this is a gorgeous wine that will age well." - J.A.
"Energetic and precise"
James Suckling - June 18, 2021
"Ripe black fruit, clove, licorice, pine and walnut husk on the nose. Bitter chocolate and coffee, too. It's full bodied with firm, tight tannins. Muscular and very formed. Energetic and precise with long, chewy layers and lots of depth, structure and polish. Superb." - J.S.
"Stunning symmetry and balance"
Jeb Dunnuck - June 18, 2021
"One of the most seamless, ethereal wines in the vintage, the 2018 Chateau la Fleur-Petrus check in as 91% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot coming from a 45 acre vineyard of deep clay and gravely soils located on the upper plateau of Pomerol. The vines average 35 years in age and the elevage spans 16-18 months in 50% new French oak. Unquestionably in the same league as Trotanoy, Le Gay, Lafleur, Hosanna and the other leviathans of the region, its deep purple hue is followed by a gorgeously layered, multi-dimensional 2018 with full-bodied aromas and flavors of black raspberry and blackcurrant fruits intermixed with spring flowers, dried herbs, and a hint of white truffle. Medium to full-bodied, with stunning symmetry and balance, its tannins are ripe and polished, and it has nicely integrated acidity as well as a great finish. It should drink well for another 20-25 years."- J.D.
