Chateau Lafleur-Gazin Pomerol 2015

Description

Since 1976 Mr Right Bank, JP Moueix has leased this Lafleur-Gazin Pomerol which gets its name from its two close neighbours; Chateau Lafleur and Chateau Gazin. It also closely neighbours the iconic Chateau Petrus, which is as close to perfection as you can find in both Bordeaux and Merlot. Very modern in style this 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc blend is very much reminiscent of Burgundy with its floral notes, silky palate and long finish.

Pomerol 

Merlot dominates here ably supported by Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon a distant (and sometimes non-existant) third. There is only 800 hectare of vines and almost 150 producers and Pomerol is the only major appellation of Bordeaux to eschew a ranking system.  The quality at the top level are arguably better than any other Bordeaux but it can vary.

Merlot 

It gets a tough time most of the places it is grown. But in Pomerol and Saint-Emilion Merlot not only dominates but makes some of the best wines in the world. Perfume, silky and plush. Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon season the wines with structure and acid but in some places, like Petrus, they are almost not needed.

Cabernet Franc 

Is actually one of the parents of Cabernet Sauvignon… along with Sauvignon Blanc (oh! The name makes sense now!).  It is most famous for being the third most important grape in quality Bordeaux but also excels in the Loire Valley (where it lived before it went to Bordeaux), especially Chinon and Saumur. The wines are bright red in colour, highly aromatic with raspberries, rose petals, violets along with tobacco, cassis and some herbal elements. The best examples can live as long as any great wine

2015 

Great Bordeaux is still very much dependant on the vintage. The weather conditions in Bordeaux for the most part were agreeable albiet everything happened quite early. All the quality factors were there and the wines at the en-primeur tastings brought on a lot of excitement with some people comparing it to the 1998, 2005, 2009 and 2010 vintages for quality. The fairest comparisons seem to be 1985 and 2001 both of which have proved to be enjoyable vintages with good longevity. Prices are fair by Bordeaux standards.