Pensees De Lafleur 2018 (750ML)

93 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Composed of 46% Merlot and 54% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Pensées de Lafleur bursts with plum preserves and redcurrant jelly scents, giving way to nuances of red roses, dusty soil, bouquet garni and tapenade with a waft of black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate is oh-so-elegant, featuring very soft tannins and beautifully knit acidity to support the generous black and red fruits, finishing long and earthy. Give it a good 3 years to spread its wings and drink it over the next 15 years or more." 03/21

94 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2018 Les Pensées de Lafleur is a different kettle of fish compared to the Grand Vin. In fact, it should be treated as a separate Pomerol cuvée, since even though it comes from a tongue of more clayey soil within Lafleur, the resulting wine is much more sensual and richer in style. Plush red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit feature on the nose, rose petals scents forming after a couple of hours’ opening. The palate is medium-bodied, soft in texture and approachable, displaying plenty of rondeur, with fine mineralité toward the finish and still just the faint acrid tang of a strong espresso on the aftertaste. I love this and it would not surprise me if blind, I ended up scoring it higher than the Grand Vin for the first few years." 03/21

93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2018 Les Pensées de Lafleur is marked by strong Cabernet Franc accents in its flavor profile and structural feel. Dried rose petal, sage, mint, red cherry and orange zest all open, but only with great reluctance. Les Pensées is tightly wound now, after bottling, and needs time to be at its finest. Even so, it is pretty special today." 03/21

96 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "Subtle aromas of green olive, blackcurrant and black cherry follow through to a medium to full body with round, polished tannins and a juicy finish. Balanced and refined. Love the undertones of chocolate and hazelnut, too! Try after 2024." 02/21

93 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter: "This is dextrous and luscious and one of the wines of Pomerol - it has a wonderful creaminess and beautiful texture with bramble-filled and powerful fruits. As the air hits it in the glass you get a violet edge with tobacco and earthy notes offering density but not heaviness and a salty finish. As it does in the best years, Pensées de Lafleur shows the DNA of the appellation, where Lafleur main wine shows the DNA of the estate. Harvest took place between 21 September and 4 October from the 0.7ha strip of clay-dominant gravel." 03/19

96 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "The 2018 Pensées De Lafleur is a blend of close to an even split of Cabernet Franc (54%) and Merlot (46%), and it comes all from a unique vein of more clay soils that run through the heart of the vineyard. Brought up in 25% new French oak, this beautiful, seamless Pomerol stands nicely on its own, offering complex notes of black cherries, framboise, spring flowers, damp earth, spice, sandalwood, and incense. This carries to a full-bodied 2018 with a layered, multi-dimensional texture, ripe, polished tannins, beautiful mid-palate depth, and a great, great finish. It's easy to discount this as a second wine, but that would be a mistake. This is a thrilling bottle that wine readers should snatch up." 03/21