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Tasting notes
The 1994 Lafleur is far better than a "green" bottle tasted several years ago. It has a typical '94 nose, a bit conservative with light redcurrant, loam and briary aromas, just a hint of peppermint emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a rusticity that is more appealing than it was in the '93. Though maybe just a bit dilute on the finish, this has an easygoing personality that is atypical for Lafleur. Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1994 Lafleur is a vintage that I drank regularly in the days when such off-vintages were cheap. However, it has long been a wine that seems permanently stuck in a "root day": green and herbaceous on the nose, "Loire meets Pomerol" on the palate. Quite simply, I don't think the Cabernet Franc achieved full ripeness in this growing season.
If anything bluer than the 1995, with very good depth of blackish crimson. Interesting note of minerals and slight decay. Nose much more evolved than the colour. Much simpler, more spindly than the 1995 (and 1993). This would probably look good with other 1994s but with other Lafleurs it lacks a bit of depth. A bit austere, but it kept its freshness in the glass. (JR)
About the producer
The Société Civile du Ch. Lafleur is the collective name for the Guinaudeau family’s wines and estates. These are some of the Right Bank’s most famous wines, including Ch. Lafleur and Les Pensées in Pomerol, along with Les Perrières, Les Champs Libres and Ch. Grand Village in Fronsac.