Chateau Lafleur vertial 1986-2020 tasted blind

This blind tasting was conducted during a damp, cloudy day, which usually has an effect on the scores from my experience, so may be I am 1-2 points twoo low here. Nevertheless, I found the Chateau Lafleur to be "rather good than great" and the peaks not at the heights of the best Medoc Chateau in terms of complexity. Given the price, a clear pass for me. I would put my money on Figeac, Lafleur-Petrus or Trotanoy if I had to go right bank.

• 1989 Château Lafleur 88 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Savory, earthy bouquet with notes of tree bark, Maggi, and a touch of oxidation. Fruit has faded; the palate is drying and lacks energy. Time to drink up, fell apart quickly in the glass.

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• 1999 Château Lafleur 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Resinous and earthy on the nose, with faint red fruit peeking through. Dry and tertiary on the palate, showing more life than the 1989, but still nearing the end of its drinking window.

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• 2009 Château Lafleur 96 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Beautifully expressive nose of pine, sandalwood, and blackberries. Deep and complex, with polished tannins and ample fruit to support the structure. A complete wine.

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• 2019 Château Lafleur 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Limited aromatics, still primary with dominant notes of vanilla and oak. Youthfully elegant on the palate with refined structure. Upside from here once the oak resolves. 94–96

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• 1998 Château Lafleur 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Ripe, rich aromatics with notes of red fruit, coffee, and cranberry. The palate is elegant and well-balanced, with good depth and gentle sweetness. A harmonious showing. 94+

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• 1986 Château Lafleur 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Bright nose of red cherry, pine, and forest floor, showing surprising freshness. Palate is vibrant with firm acidity, though the tannins finish a touch dry. Kept remarkably well, but drink soon.

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• 2001 Château Lafleur 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Sweet red berry fruit and raspberry bonbon on the nose. Polished tannins and a soft, supple texture make this charming and precise, though slightly lacking in complexity. Drinking beautifully now.

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• 2002 Château Lafleur 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Savory, earthy nose with pine and undergrowth. Palate is mature and more evolved than the 2001, with moderate complexity and a rustic character. Solid, if not thrilling.

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• 2000 Château Lafleur 96 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Expressive bouquet of red cherry, cranberry, and truffle, layered with spice. A dense, complex palate with lively acidity, balanced tannins, and a long, savory finish. In a great place today.

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• 2003 Château Lafleur 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Ripe, sweet nose of figs, licorice, and toasted oak, very much of the vintage. Richly extracted, but the heat is well-handled; tannins slightly drying but offset by generous fruit. A bold, seductive Lafleur.

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• 2005 Château Lafleur 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Dark fruit, pine, and a touch of Maggi on the nose, with slight oxidative hints. Dense and powerful, but extraction and oak slightly overwhelm finesse. Structured, but lacks the poise of top Lafleurs.

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• 2010 Château Lafleur 96 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Youthful nose with restrained fruit and subtle spice. Palate is elegant and light-footed for the vintage, with refined tannins and a cool, understated finish. Very promising. 96+

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• 2004 Château Lafleur 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Attractive nose of red fruit, pine, and cranberry. Well-balanced, with spice and an elegant, linear palate. A refined success in a modest vintage.

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• 2006 Château Lafleur 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Torrefied, ripe nose with dark fruit and roasted coffee. Compressed palate, extracted and lacking finesse, though free of oxidation. Slightly coarse—best to drink soon.

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• 2008 Château Lafleur 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Beautifully perfumed nose of red fruit, florals, and truffle. The palate is precise and harmonious, with surprising charm and polish for the vintage. A standout 2008.

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• 2011 Château Lafleur 91 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Simple red fruit nose, a little dilute on the mid-palate. Tight tannins on the finish but lacking in depth and energy. Underwhelming today.

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• 2015 Château Lafleur 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Ripe, rich nose of dark fruit, plum, and chocolate. Lush palate in a Californian mold, with good depth but edging toward over-ripeness. Well-made, but stylistically bold. No my style, too ripe for me.

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• 2016 Château Lafleur 96 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Delicate aromatics of red and black cherry, still primary. The palate is focused and precise, with superb tension and detail. Elegant and beautifully balanced. Potential to gain further. 96+

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• 2018 Château Lafleur 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Dense, ripe nose of dark fruit and warm earth, but well judged. Structured and plush, with commanding tannins and freshness. A strong showing in a challenging vintage.

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• 2020 Château Lafleur 94 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Primary aromatics of red and black fruit, with integrated oak. Palate shows balance and poise, though youthful green notes linger on the finish. Needs time. 94 for now with upside from hear. Open not before 2030.

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• 2012 Château Lafleur 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Lean red fruit nose with asparagus hints pointing to under-ripeness. The palate is modest, with slightly firm tannins and limited depth.

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• 2017 Château Lafleur 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Red fruit and well-integrated oak on the nose, with good freshness. Palate shows moderate ripeness and a drying finish, but more poise than peers in this flight. 93-95

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• 2013 Château Lafleur 89 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Dark fruit and a light, simple palate. Aromatically and structurally modest, confirming the challenges of the vintage. Disappointing at this level.

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• 2014 Château Lafleur 92 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol

  Pleasant nose of red and dark fruit. Light-bodied but well made, showing solid balance and drinkability. A quiet success.

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