2015 Les Champs Libres - Blanc
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2015 Les Champs Libres is well defined on the nose—clementine and light pear scents commingle with melted wax and sesame. The palate is crisp and balanced, perhaps without the same mineral core as the 2014, but it finishes with length, freshness and a dab of ginger on the aftertaste. À point . Tasted from ex-château magnum at Kate & Kon's 40-Year vertical in Austria.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Tim Atkin MW
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Les Champs Libres, made by the Guinaudeau family of Château Lafleur, is developing nicely in bottle. The nose offers scents of lemon thyme and nettle and touches of orange blossom and nashi pear, all well defined and vibrant. The palate is lightly honeyed on the entry, developing an attractive spiciness that becomes more conspicuous toward the finish, which features stem ginger on the aftertaste. Maybe it has advanced a little more than expected; nevertheless, it still comes recommended.
The 2015 Les Champs Libres has a very attractive bouquet of gooseberry, fresh pear and light Granny Smith apple aromas, well defined and more mineral-driven than its peers. The palate is lightly spiced on the entry, with a fine bead of acidity and impressive tension. The slightly peppery, asparagus-tinged finish feels long and tender. Superb. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.
Tasted blind. Slight pinkish tinge. Floral, rather simple but appealing nose. Green edge on the end. Ambitious; more youthful than most. (JR)