Wine Advisor
La Fleur Petrus 1982
View analysis
Description
Château La Fleur-Pétrus is one of the most renowned vineyards of Pomerol. This historic estate, situated exclusively on the plateau, was named in the 18th century for its position across the localities ‘Petrus’ and ‘La Fleur’. Established in Libourne since 1937, Jean-Pierre Moueix perceived early on the excellent quality of the Pomerol appellation. Château La Fleur-Pétrus was his very first acquisition in 1950. Quickly after, he purchased Château Trotanoy in 1953.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1982 is outstanding, revealing aromas of coffee, black cherries, herbs, and caramel. Spicy, with sweet tannin, medium body, outstanding concentration, and a lush, supple texture, this fully mature offering should be consumed over the next 5-6 years.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Inconsistent tastings have plagued the performance of this wine since bottling. At some tastings the wine has exhibited plummy/mulberry-like fruit with a touch of vanillin, a smooth, creamy texture, excellent aromatics, and outstanding concentration and personality. Other tastings revealed a more herbaceously-scented and flavored wine with noticeable acidity and tannin. At the most recent tasting, the wine performed extremely well, but it tasted fully mature . Tasted 5 times since bottling with inconsistent notes.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Deep garnet core with a brick rim. Not a mature looking 82. The nose as sublime: a complex cocktail of damp earth, dark melted chocolate, mulberry and plums. It peaked after an hour in the glass before turning acetic. The palate is superb, though not quite as brilliant as the nose. Tannic but well balanced with great fruit concentration. This is certainly one of the best Pomerols I have tasted from the vintage. Silky smooth texture, good acidity with a more Cabernet flavour than Merlot. Perhaps a bit short on the finish, but still this is a really sublime wine. Tasted September 2003.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at Pebbles/Zachy’s 1982 dinner in Hong Kong. It is many years since I have encountered the La Fleur-Petrus 1982. Here it has a gorgeous bouquet of mulberry, sous-bois, salted liquorice and black truffle and later with time more tertiary aromas that usurp the fruit. The palate is actually superior to the nose with outstanding intensity and yet at the same time, so elegant and refined. There is a touch of piquancy towards the finish that does not quite have the length of the top tier Pomerol wines, but it is still a little beauty. Tasted November 2012.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Very inconsistent in over a dozen tastings, this wine has never fully lived up to the expectations I had for it prior to bottling. This was a period when Christian Moueix and his conservative oenologist Jean-Claude Berrouet were, in my opinion, doing entirely too much fining and filtration, often killing much of the texture and flavor in too many wines that tasted great out of cask. Obviously things changed, but we still have great vintages like this that are perplexing and not what they should be. The wine still shows a nice plum, mulberry, herbaceous, coffee-scented nose with some cedar and spice box. In the mouth, it is medium-bodied with surprising acidity and moderate tannin. The finish is a bit short. After tasting through much of a case, and never seeing the wine live up to my expectations, I am convinced now this wine is in decline, somewhat unusual for a well-stored 1982. Anticipated maturity: Drink up. Last tasted, 11/02.
About the Producer
Château La Fleur-Pétrus is one of the most renowned vineyards of Pomerol. This historic estate, situated exclusively on the plateau, was named in the 18th century for its position across the localities ‘Petrus’ and ‘La Fleur’. Established in Libourne since 1937, Jean-Pierre Moueix perceived early on the excellent quality of the Pomerol appellation. Château La Fleur-Pétrus was his very first acquisition in 1950. Quickly after, he purchased Château Trotanoy in 1953. The personality of Château La Fleur-Pétrus lies in the careful association of the famous gravel and clay terroirs of the plateau of Pomerol. The vineyard, located at 33 to 38 meters above sea level, draws its identity from the nuances of soil and elevation of each parcel. Those parcels which are dominated by gravel tend to yield wines of great elegance, while those dominated by clay are distinctly velvety, dense, and structured. Château La Fleur-Pétrus is composed predominantly of Merlot, which lends silkiness and generosity to the wine. Cabernet Franc, planted on gravel and fine clay, contributes rigor and complexity, while a small percentage of Petit Verdot, planted on fine gravel, offers a hint of spice to the finish. The wine combines a unique elegance with the generosity and structure typical of the great vineyards of Pomerol. An attentive tasting reveals remarkable refinement, complexity, and a touch of violet.
Package Size
