Lafleur

(a blend of 54% cabernet franc and 46% merlot; 32 hl/ha; a 65% selection for the grand vin Pretty ruby color. Very reticent, mineral-driven nose reluctantly releases scents of pure violet, raspberry and spicy red cherry. On the palate, there are pristine flavors of red fruits, minerals and delicate sweet spices. Absolutely seamless already but with strong acids giving a steely quality to the saline, persistent finish. This Lafleur is more dominated than usual by its cabernet franc component and will require patience. I think the '06 was noticeably better and more forward at a similar stage of development, but as this picks up flesh with age, it should eventually be thought of as one of the wines of the vintage.