Wine Advisor
La Fleur Petrus 2016
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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: Neal Martin
The 2016 La Fleur Petrus is a blend of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. I prefer the aromatics here compared to the Latour-à-Pomerol and Hosanna: much more fruit (raspberry coulis and crushed strawberry), allied with mineralité and a sense of joie-de-vivre. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple tannin. It offers black fruit infused with melted tar and graphite notes, the Cabernet Franc imparting a very subtle bell pepper note towards the finish. This is a very fine La Fleur Petrus, not as flamboyant as the 2015, yet pretty and sophisticated.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Blended of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, the medium garnet-purple colored 2016 la Fleur-Petrus reveals stunning Black Forest cake, redcurrant jelly and wilted roses scents with underlying suggestions of pencil shavings, yeast extract, dark chocolate and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, the mid-palate possesses superb intensity and depth with layers of perfumed black fruits and loads of red fruit sparks framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing on a lingering earthy note.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2016 La Fleur-Pétrus soars out of the glass with striking aromatics. Light on its feet yet also quite fleshy, the 2016 has so much to offer. Blood orange and floral notes add brightness to the red-toned fruit in this silky, beautifully nuanced Pomerol. The 2016 is rich, dense and spectacularly beautiful, with a persistent, saline-drenched finish that makes it hard to resist a second taste.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2016 La Fleur-Pétrus is all finesse. A wine of translucence and nuance, it is utterly captivating from the very first taste. Blood orange, chalk and white pepper overtones give the wine lift and tension that drive through to the finish. I imagine the 2016 will need a few years to enter its prime drinking window, but it is an absolute stunner today. The Cabernet Franc is especially expressive. The vintage was not without its challenges; some of the younger-vine Merlot succumbed to heat stress and was not used in the final blend. As a result, yields in finished wine are down about 20 percent.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2016 La Fleur-Petrus has a wonderful, beautifully defined bouquet of detailed blackberry, briar, truffle and ferrous scents that unfurl in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. There is a gracefulness about this Pomerol that belies the persistence and sapidity that keep you coming back for more. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2016 La Fleur-Pétrus has a straitlaced, conservative bouquet at first, but it gradually opens up with aeration to reveal blackberry and bilberry aromas and hints of crushed stone and rose petal. The palate is smooth and supple, with an almost citrus-like freshness. This is an energetic, joyful La Fleur-Pétrus, fanning out beautifully toward the sensual, slightly tart finish. It shows signs of melioration in barrel, and though I feel that the 2015 is better, it's still a damn good Pomerol.
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.
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