Château Lafleur Gazin Château Lafleur Gazin
Pomerol, France
Vintage:2016 (Past)
2012 (Past) | 2014 (Past) | 2015 (Past) | 2017 (Past) | 2018 (Current) | 2020 (Current)
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Reviews
Wine Enthusiast 92 Points
“Almost pure Merlot, this dense wine is rich and packed with black fruits. Its concentration and density are massive, with tannins that are almost velvet in character. Drink this wine from 2023.”
Wine Spectator 92 Points
“Rich cherry compote and plum preserve flavors define this wine, while licorice snap, singed alder and tobacco notes fill in the background. Lingering wood spice accents run through the finish, while the fruit hangs on. Best from 2021 through 2031.”
The Wine Advocate 93 Points
“The 2016 Lafleur-Gazin is made up of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Medium garnet-purple colored, it simply sings of red roses, cherry cordial, blackberry pie and warm blueberries with suggestions of cinnamon toast and wood smoke. Medium-bodied, it fills the mouth with tons of juicy red and blue berry flavors, supported by a wonderfully soft, velvety texture and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed.”
Decanter 91 Points
“This is extremely silky and concentrated, with an edgy, slightly angular side to the tannins. It's hard to question the quality of the dark brambly fruits, and the liquorice root alongside, although the heat on the finish distracts.”
Overview
Situated on the northern edge of the plateau of Pomerol, nestled between Château Gazin and Château La Fleur-Pétrus, this wine has been produced by Ets. Jean-Pierre Moueix since 1976 for the Borderie family, owners since 1930.
The merlot vines (averaging 30 years of age) are planted on gravel and clay. The cabernet franc is planted on silt soils, which encourage a nuanced and full expression of this varietal’s character. The vineyard management and vinification are carried out traditionally and with great care, producing a plump, supple, fleshy wine with ripe fruit and silky tannins.
Winemaking
In thermoregulated concrete and stainless steel vats. Gentle and controlled maceration and extraction.
Tasting Notes
Eminently approachable, even in its youth, Lafleur-Gazin is a delightful expression of the lighter style of Pomerol wines.
Harvest Notes
The 2016 climatic year was composed of two distinct parts. First, a cool and wet spring with record rainfall (259 mm from April to June, compared to 108 mm during the same period in 2015). A short break from the rain in May allowed for a quick and even flowering. The weather shifted in mid-June, giving way to clear skies and warm temperatures through mid-September.
The warm, dry weather that set in over the summer resulted in drought conditions, but vineyards planted on water-retentive soils, such as the deep clay of Pomerol, fared well.
Vineyard work was adapted to the weather: soil tillage was carried out at night in order to limit the impact of heat and drought on the vineyards, and canopy management was tailored to maintain sufficient vegetation to protect the grapes. The vegetative cycle slowed over the summer months, but rain in mid-september allowed the grapes to reach full maturity. At harvest, the berries were crunchy, gorged with sugar yet fresh at the same time, with intense notes of black fruit, the skins redolent with mild tannins, the seeds crisp.
Technical Information
Varietals: 94% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
Soil Composition: 2/3 gravel, 1/3 sand
Average Vine Age: 30 years
Aging: 16-18 months in French oak barrels (30-40% new)