Chateau Lafleur Gazin Pomerol 2020

Château Lafleur Gazin sits among some of Pomerol’s most famous neighbours, including Château Pétrus, Château Le Pin and Château La Fleur-Pétrus, and shares part of its historic name with these estates. While the name reflects local history rather than direct ownership, Lafleur Gazin benefits from the same terroir of the Pomerol plateau of crasse de fer (iron rich clay) over deeper clay and gravel subsoils which imparts both structure and plush fruit expression to the wines, producing elegant, expressive Merlot led wines. Unlike its neighbours, the estate farms a slightly larger 7 hectare vineyard and produces more wine, which, combined with slightly less exclusive vineyard parcels, means bottles are far more accessible. This makes Lafleur Gazin a rare opportunity to enjoy authentic Pomerol character and quality at a relatively approachable price point. The 2020 vintage was warm and generous, producing concentrated, ripe fruit with balance and excellent ageing potential across Pomerol’s clay driven terroirs.

Château Lafleur Gazin Pomerol 2020 is typically a blend led by Merlot with a supporting proportion of Cabernet Franc, offering a harmonious balance between plush fruit and structural tension. Grapes are hand harvested and fermented in temperature controlled vats with indigenous yeasts, followed by maturation in a mix of French oak barrels, a significant portion of which are new, for around 18 months to 24 months. The wine displays expressive aromas of black cherry, plum, truffle, violet and graphite, leading to a rich, layered palate with fine tannins and a long, persistent finish. It pairs beautifully with roasted lamb, duck breast, braised beef and mature hard cheeses. Now entering a compelling drinking window with decanting, the 2020 can continue to evolve gracefully over the next 10-15 years. The vintage has received widespread critical acclaim, including scores of 96-98 points from leading critics, with one reviewer describing it as “a superb Pomerol of precision, depth and seamless structure”.