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CHÂTEAU LAFLEUR 2010 Pomerol.
CHÂTEAU NENIN 2000 (2) Pomerol. 2 x scraped labels. 1 x scuffed label
CLOS L'ÉGLISE 2005 (2) Pomerol.
Tasted blind as a vintage comparison at the Valandraud vertical, the 2010 Lafleur put in an absolutely no holds barred astonishing performance. Lafleur is wont to improve in bo!le and this is certainly the case apropos the 2010. It has a boisterous ripe blackberry, cranberry, sous-bois and graphite-scented bouquet that is an absolute beauty. Power mixed with quite brilliant precision, you almost want to laugh at its sheer audacity. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin; there is immense depth and wonderful cohesion. Mineral-drenched black fruit, a slightly chalky texture and outstanding energy and tension on the finish - this is a magnificent Pomerol from the Guinaudeau family. Tasted December 2016. 950 cases produced. WA 99 JS 100 1 bt.
per lot $1,300 - $1,500
15 CHÂTEAU LA FLEUR-PÉTRUS 2011 (3) Pomerol. WS 93 JS 93 CHÂTEAU LAFLEUR 2011 (1) Pomerol. This tiny jewel of a property has produced a beautifully rich 2011 Lafleur from a blend of 53% Cabernet Franc and 47% Merlot. The Merlot was picked between August 31 and September 12, and the Cabernet Franc between September 22-23. The 2011 reveals a floralscented bouquet with notions of kirsch, licorice and black raspberries. It is medium to fullbodied with terrific fruit purity, good minerality and slightly more acidity and freshness than are found in such ripe vintages as 2009 and 2010. At present, the Guinandeau family, the owners, are using between 50-60% new oak in an a!empt to emphasize their great terroir and the extraordinary fruit quality they achieve from both the old vine Cabernet Franc and Merlot. This cuvee possesses some serious tannin and will undoubtedly need 5-6 years of cellaring a"er its release, but it should be one of the longer-lived wines of the vintage, lasting 25+ years. April 2012 WA (92-94) CHÂTEAU LATOUR À POMEROL 1998 (2) Pomerol.
CHÂTEAU TROTANOY 2000 (1) Pomerol. wrinkled label Tasted at the Trotanoy vertical in Hong Kong, the 2000 Trotanoy seems to be improving with age. It has an outstanding bouquet with far more fruit intensity than I anticipated: mulberry, blackberry, briary, broom and white pepper all mingling together with superb delineation. The palate displays exquisite balance, fresh and focused with a clean and precise finish that is only just beginning to show what it can do. Like so many millennial Bordeaux it has matured at its own pace, however, on this showing it seems determined to reward those with the greatest patience. Tasted November 2016. Drink: 2020-2045 WA 95 VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN 2000 (1) Pomerol. A gorgeous wine of grace, elegance, and power, this youthful 2000 will benefit from another five years of cellaring. It appears to have 25 more years of life ahead of it. A deep ruby/purple color is just beginning to lighten at the edges. The bouquet offers up scents of cedar wood, melted licorice, black currants, blackberries, caramel, and mocha. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and pure with low acidity as well as formidable tannins in the long finish, the 2000 should rival vintages such as 2005, 2006, and 2009. June 2010 WA 95 4 bts. per lot $800 - $1,000
17 VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN 1998 (1) Pomerol. VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN 2001 (3) Pomerol. 1 x scuffed label 4 bts. per lot $1,000 - $1,200
The talented and charming Sylvie Garcin runs this tiny property of 15 acres, planted with 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in 100% new oak. The 2005 is dense ruby/purple, with notes of smoky barbecue, crushed blackcurrants and jammy cherries, with some licorice and earth in the background (truffle?). This full-bodied, multi-dimensional, full-thro!le and concentrated Pomerol is top class. This is a great example of the vintage and of this beautiful terroir not far from Pomerol’s church. Approachable now, it will even improve for another 5-10 years and drink well for at least two more decades. June 2015 Drink: 2015-2045 WA 96 VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN 2006 (1) Pomerol. scuffed label Tasted blind at Farr Vintners' horizontal, the 2006 Vieux Château Certan remains an outstanding proposition. It has an airy red cherry and raspberry bouquet, a hint of bergamot tea in the background, succinctly defined, even if the fruit needs some encouragement from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. The acidity is well judged, harmonious in the mouth, quite smooth with hints of truffle oil and white pepper towards the composed, quite sensual finish. Give this a couple of more years in bo!le and then it should drink well for at least a couple of decades. Tasted April 2016. Drink: 2018-2045 WA 96 VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN 2007 (1) Pomerol. VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN 2009 (1) Pomerol. The 2009's nearly 14% natural alcohol, exquisite ripeness, and incredible complex bouquet of Asian spices, fruitcake, licorice, smoke, blackberries and black currants are to die for. A blend of 84% Merlot and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, it possesses a viscous texture as well as a freshness and vibrancy that are remarkable given the wine’s weight, richness and potential massiveness. This extraordinary effort is one of the finest Vieux Chateau Certans made over the last sixty years. It will undoubtedly shut down in bo!le, requiring a decade or more of cellaring. It should keep for 50 years therea"er. Proprietor Thienpont thinks it is a modern day version of the 1948. December 2011 Drink: 2022-2072 WA 99
6 bts. per lot $1,400 - $1,600 5 bts. per lot $1,000 - $1,200