Tasted with Baptiste Guinaudeau, the 2008 Lafleur is a wine for which I have a lot of time, and as it approaches a decade old, it is beginning to loosen up a little. There is plenty of fruit on the nose—more than I have encountered on previous bottles, with a mixture of red and black fruit—and a hint of bell pepper and sage. The main difference is that those previously rigid tannin have loosened their collar in recent months; therefore, this Lafleur is now entertaining the notion of drinkability. There remains a linearity to this Lafleur—and there is still that backbone—yet it seems to flow nicely across the mouth, and there is superb mineralité on the finish. It's probably destined to be overshadowed by the succeeding two vintages, but I suggest you do not overlook the 2008 Lafleur.

這款 2008 年份的 Lafleur 恰好產(chǎn)自這一被低估的年份。此酒由 54% 的 Cabernet Franc 和46% 的 Merlot 混釀而成，呈現(xiàn)出一種類似 2010 年份酒款的色澤，較紫色要稍淺些。散發(fā)著一股沁人的香氣，交織著草莓味，黑櫻桃味，潮濕的泥土氣息以及松露味，顯然這是種經(jīng)典香型。其剛勁有力的質(zhì)感，豐滿的酒體，延續(xù)了 1988 年款（可能是 1996 年）的特征。此酒還需要窖藏 5-7 年，可收藏30年。顯然此2008年份款是來(lái)自 Pomerol 系列中熟成最遲緩的葡萄酒之一。

A bright, fresh, very pure style, with raspberry and bitter cherry fruit flavors laced with judicious toast and a streak of red licorice. The nicely fleshy finish puts on weight as it airs in the glass, developing alluring notes of black tea and incense. Drink now through 2019. -JM

With 54% Cabernet Franc in the blend this is a wine of elegance, length and line. The wine is discretion itself, giving the impression of austerity, but there's a finesse to the fruit and tannins and tremendous length on the finish which augers well for the future. Drink 2018-2035. (19 points)