Wine Advisor
La Fleur Petrus 1995
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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.
There is no doubting the fact that Christian Moueix is making a major effort to upgrade La Fleur-Petrus and produce a wine that is among the finest of the appellation. As I reported last year, Moueix acquired a sensational 10-acre parcel of very old vines from La Fleur-Petrus's neighbor, Le Gay, increasing this vineyard's size to 33 acres. The new vineyard plot paid immediate dividends based on how exceptionally rich and powerful, yet still elegant the 1995 has turned out. Perhaps history will record this as the breakthrough vintage for La Fleur-Petrus. The color is a saturated dark purple, and the nose offers up fabulously sweet, explosive levels of jammy black-cherry fruit, earth, minerals, and truffles. Rich, with layers of extract, this powerful, dense, harmonious wine appears to be the finest La Fleur-Petrus made in the last 30+ years. It is developing beautifully in cask, and seems even fatter and more impressive than it did when I tasted it last spring. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Perhaps history will record this as the breakthrough vintage for La Fleur-Petrus. The color is a saturated dark purple, and the nose offers up fabulously sweet, explosive levels of jammy black cherry fruit, earth, minerals, and truffles. Rich, with layers of extract, this powerful, dense, harmonious wine appears to be the finest La Fleur-Petrus made in the last 30+ years. It is developing beautifully in cask, and seems even fatter and more impressive than it did when I tasted it last spring. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020. Last tasted 11/97
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1995 appears to be even richer and more complex than the 1994. It is no secret that Christian Moueix is quickly upgrading La Fleur-Petrus, as he intends to make it one of the finest wines of the appellation. He recently acquired (from neighboring Le Gay) a ten-acre parcel of very old vines on a gravel ridge, thus increasing La Fleur-Petrus's vineyard to 33 acres. This acquisition of one of the best parcels of old vines from Le Gay was made before the 1995 harvest, and the additional structure, muscle, and power formerly found in Le Gay is now evident in the 1995 La Fleur-Petrus. It is an atypically rich, powerful example of this wine, with underlying sweet, jammy fruit. It appears to be a brilliant move on the part of Moueix to beef up La Fleur-Petrus and give it more structure. It has always been an elegant rather than dense and powerful Pomerol. The best of both worlds now appear to be present, as evidenced by this concentrated, full-bodied, opaque dark ruby/purple-colored 1995. It may be the best wine made at this estate in three decades. It will require 4-5 years of cellaring after its release, but it is capable of lasting for 20+ years. Bravo! All of the wines in this segment were tasted between March 19 and March 28 in Bordeaux. Most of the important wines from both the 1994 and 1995 vintages were tasted three separate times during my ten-day stay in Bordeaux.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Dazzling since birth, the 1995 has not lost a thing since bottling. A saturated dark purple color suggests a wine of considerable depth and concentration. The nose offers up gorgeous aromas of sweet kirsch intermixed with black raspberry, mineral, and smoky notes. Full-bodied, with superb richness and purity, loads of tannin, and a layered, multidimensional personality, this terrific La Fleur-Petrus is the finest wine I have tasted at this property in the twenty years I have been visiting Bordeaux. Readers may remember that I previously reported that a 10-acre old vine sector of Le Gay was sold to La Fleur-Petrus, increasing the latter's vineyard to 33 acres. I believe this 10-acre acquisition has beefed up La Fleur-Petrus, a fact particularly evident in this 1995. It is a splendid effort! Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025.
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.
1982(2)1983(1)
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