2023 Château La Fleur-Pétrus, Pomerol

The 2023 La Fleur-Pétrus is fabulous. Increasingly, I find it one the most complete Pomerols in the Moueix range. Perhaps, that’s because it comes from numerous parcels throughout the appellation and is therefore a wine that greatly benefits from blending. Bright acids and floral top notes add lift to a core of red-toned fruit. Hints of cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, mint and orange peel linger on the beautifully persistent finish.

The 2023 La Fleur-Pétrus was picked September 7 to 19. Now, this is a level up from the Hosanna, with greater precision and focus—very pure and more terroir-driven. The palate is sleek and smooth on the entry, with svelte tannins, a perfect line of acidity and a very harmonious finish that fans out nicely. This is a refined La Fleur-Pétrus that should age well in bottle.

Very tight for this chateau, with blackberry, chocolate and black-cherry character, as well as a hint of smoky oak. Full and very poised with focus and beauty. 96.5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 0.5% cabernet sauvignon.

The 2023 La Fleur-Pétrus is very attractive, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, sweet cherries and plums mingled with hints of incense and spices, discreetly framed by new oak. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, it's deep and textural, its rich core of fruit framed by plenty of sweet, powdery tannin.