2015 La Fleur Petrus Bordeaux Red

2015 La Fleur Petrus

99 JS

Featured Review

The aromas to this are stunning with lavender, rose petals, walnut skin, strawberries and raspberries. Captivating. Full body, layers of polished tannins and perfectly ripe fruit. Dense and very long. Breathtaking classicism. Try in 2021 and onwards. James Suckling

James Suckling | 99 JS

One of the undeniable superstars of the vintage is the 2015 La Fleur-Petrus, which is 93% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. This awesome wine builds with time in the glass and shines just as much for its purity and elegance and richness and power. Boasting a deep purple/plum color to go with thrilling notes of tobacco leaf, currants, licorice, and subtle oak, it has a multi-dimensional, layered, elegant, and full-bodied style on the palate that just begs to be drunk. Nevertheless, it needs 5-6 years of cellaring and will keep for 2+ decades. It’s a sensational wine!

Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JD

A blend of 92% Merlot, 7.5% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% Petit Verdot, the 2015 la Fleur-Petrus is a little reticent on the nose to begin, offering up beguiling notes of tilled soil, black olives, charcuterie and dried Provence herbs over a core of preserved plums, black cherries and black raspberries with touches of tar and new leather. Full-bodied, rich, plush and seductive in the mouth, it finishes with persistent, slowly revealing earthy/savory layers, which will keep you reaching for another glass.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RP

Creamy and seductive, with chocolate and dark cherry notes; the oak is perceptible. Dense core of fruit. Round and full with a fine grain of tannin. Discreet power behind. Precise. Vigour on the finish. Drinking Window 2022 - 2040.

Decanter | 95 DEC

The 2015 La Fleur-Pétrus has a very intense bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, truffle and smoke, quite decadent and yet retaining satisfying delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe red fruit, gentle grip with a dash of white pepper toward the persistent finish. This is suave and sophisticated - superb. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting.

Vinous Media | 95 VM

Warm ganache, fig bread and blackberry compote notes give this a fleshy feel. Loam and warm espresso details glide underneath, further accentuating the dark profile. Shows ample drive and energy, with graphite and roasted alder elements and fresh acidity coursing through. Serious juice. Best from 2025 through 2040. 5,133 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 95 WS

Big tannins and superripe fruit give this wine its powerful character. Acidity, black fruits and a rich structure add to the sense of power. The wine is rich, showing lush fruits as well as the tannin. It needs some serious aging. Drink from 2027.

Wine Enthusiast | 94 WE

Type of Wine	Bordeaux Red : Picture in your mind a combination of cedar, lead pencil, blackcurrant, plum and mineral aromatics, and texture that caresses your palate like a playful lover. The experience is thrilling from the first whiff to the final seconds of a tannic, generous finish - that is what you'll get from a Bordeaux Red
Varietal	Bordeaux Blend
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.

Producer	La Fleur Petrus : With only 800 hectares under vine in Pomerol and divided among 150 producers, land is scarce, highly coveted and considered a special privilege. Pomerol is considered the smallest of all the major Bordeaux wine producing appellations; the smallest estate being a miniscule .5 hectares (Chateau Enclos Tourmaline ) while the largest is a whopping 47.5 hectares (Chateau de Sales). With 18.7 hectares under vine, the historic estate of Chateau La Fleur-Petrus sits on prized soil located exclusively on the Pomerol Plateau and is lauded as one of the most renowned vineyards in the entire appellation. The Right Bank estate, which takes its name from its two closest neighbors (Chateau Lafleur and Chateau Petrus) has a long history in the appellation of Pomerol, dating back to the 18th century. The original chartreuse (classic, French, country-styled chateau) was built in 1782 and continues to grace the property to this day. Due to its position across the localities of ‘Petrus’ and ‘Lafleur’ the estate was aptly named and sold its wine under the name ‘Petrus Lafleur’ during those early years. When the property came under the ownership of Jean-Pierre Moueix in 1950, the estate was renamed to Chateau La Fleur-Petrus, as we know it today. Jean-Pierre Moueix established his family business (Etablissements Jean-Pierre Moueix) in Libourne in 1937. At that time, the wines of Pomerol were not yet widely recognized; however, Moueix being a visionary, foresaw the great potential both in the Merlot grape and its ability to age when grown in the best terroirs in his adopted region. Cabernet Franc was one of the early varietals planted in Pomerol but was slowly be phased out or reduced in favor of Merlot, which thrived in the native terroir. Moueix, with his incredible intuition and foresight began augmenting his merchant business with the acquisition of several well-known vineyards, starting with Chateau La Fleur-Petrus (named Petrus Lafleur when acquired) which he took possession of in 1950. The single-block vineyard, which is unusual for Pomerol, is located at 33 to 38 meters above sea level atop the Pomerol Plateau. The terroir is composed of gravel and deep clay on iron-rich subsoil. The 18.7 hectare vineyard draws its identity from nuances of soil and the elevation of each parcel. The parcels dominated by gravel yield wines of great elegance, while those dominated by clay are distinctly velvety, dense and structured. Moueix’s respect and understanding of the terroir and its marriage to the appropriate varietals in the optimal soil structure has created harmony in the vineyard and a wine that is an ethereal expression of the land itself. La Fleur-Petrus is composed predominantly of Merlot (91%) which lends silkiness and generosity to the wine. Cabernet Franc (6%) planted on gravel and fine clay, contributes rigor and complexity, while a small percentage of Petit Verdot (3%) planted on fine gravel offers a hint of spice to the finish. Due to low yields, a mere 2,500 cases are produced annually. The vines are on average 35 years of age, planted a stone’s throw from Chateau Petrus (which resides across a dirt path) and abut the vines of Chateau Lafleur. Despite proximity to its famous neighbors, the terroir is quite different from either due to La Fleur-Petrus’ unique mix of fine gravel-stones and clay soil. There is little if any of the infamous blue clay which the vines of Petrus and Lafleur thrive in; however, this does detract in any way from the quality of wines produced at La Fleur-Petrus as they have become a benchmark for the region in their own right. Today, the second and third generations, Christian and Edouard Moueix are continuing the legacy of La Fleur-Petrus, further expanding the brand that has become internationally recognized and beloved. It is an icon for success and an inspiration for growers and makers not only in Pomerol, but all Right Bank of Bordeaux.

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