Château La Fleur-Pétrus Pomerol 2016

The 2016 Château La Fleur-Petrus is more regal and elegant, with an incredibly floral quality in its red and blue fruits, crushed rock, forest floor, and graphite-tinged aromas and flavors. This medium to full-bodied, rich, layered effort has notable structure, integrated acidity, beautiful balance, and a rock star finish. This is pure class and a thrilling La Fleur Petrus that needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will cruise for 2-3 decades.

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.

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.

This wine comes from a large (for Pomerol) 46-acre vineyard. It has weight and density as well as dark tannins and rich black fruits. It shows great style with its beautifully integrated tannins. This wine will age well, ready to drink from 2025.