Chateau La Fleur-Petrus 2017
-
Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine - Decanter
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 91% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
This rolls over the palate with dark berries, dark chocolate and hints of cedar. Medium to full body, tight tannins and a lovely tension. Shows finesse and beauty.
Barrel Sample: 95-96 -
Jeb Dunnuck
From a slightly larger vineyard covering 46 acres, the 2017 Chateau La Fleur Petrus is a gorgeous wine that stays in the classic style of the vintage yet still packs plenty of oomph and textural richness. Based on 93% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a seamless, medium to full-bodied 2017 that has fantastic cassis and black raspberry fruits, lots of floral and spice nuances, subtle oak, and ripe, present, polished tannins. It doesn't have the opulence of the 2015 and 2016, but it’s about as classy as they come. Four to five years of bottle age should put it in a sweet spot, and it will drink beautifully over the following 20 years.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 93% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2017 la Fleur-Petrus is a little youthfully reticent to begin, opening to offer glimpses at kirsch, black raspberries and warm plums plus nuances of potpourri, powdered cinnamon, dusty soil and dried lavender. Medium-bodied, the palate is finely knit and elegant with a firm frame of grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and mineral laced. Rating: 94+
-
Wine Enthusiast
At 46 acres, this is a large property for Pomerol, adjacent to Château Pétrus. This wine has great richness and acidity, conveying power, density and a hint of spice and perfume from the Cabernet Franc in the blend. Drink this wine from 2023.
-
Wine Spectator
Ripe and warm in feel, featuring steeped plum, blackberry and fig notes carried by velvety but substantial tannins. Shows good cut, with notes of ganache and black tea driving the finish, ending with a second whoosh of fruit. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2038. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.
-
Decanter
Medium ruby red, with gorgeous violet reflections around the rim. This has depth and texture, showing up a little what the others don't have, and still needs another good thee to four years in bottle. Great quality, an excellent wine to discover what all the fuss around La Fleur Petrus is about, in a year when it will be approachable in a shorter timescale. This has Pomerol character and poise, plenty to savour, with a spicy kick from the Petit Verdot.
Other Vintages
2022-
Suckling
James - Decanter
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert
-
Suckling
James - Decanter
-
Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb
-
Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine - Decanter
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James - Decanter
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine - Decanter
-
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert - Decanter
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert
Over the last 15 years La Fleur-Pétrus has become one of the most fascinating and, from a quality standpoint, extraordinary stories in Bordeaux. A wine borne of a great historic terroir, that through nurture and creativity has become something greater than perhaps could have been imagined, and a bright shining light of Pomerol.
Named for its position between Chateau Petrus and Chateau La Fleur, Chateau La Fleur-Pétrus dates to the 18th century and with a long reputation for producing great wines. In 1950 Chateau La Fleur-Pétrus became Jean-Pierre Moueix’ first vineyard purchase. His son Christian has overseen the re-ascension of this estate to the top of Pomerol’s hierarchy, through his incredibly meticulous vineyard care and delicate precision in the cellar, and the addition of two parcels, in 2005 and 2012.
The work of the last 20 years has produced a wine of genuine complexity and character; what fires the imagination is the thought of the next 20 years.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
A source of exceptionally sensual and glamorous red wines, Pomerol is actually a rather small appellation in an unassuming countryside. It sits on a plateau immediately northeast of the city of Libourne on the right bank of the Dordogne River. Pomerol and St-Émilion are the stars of what is referred to as Right Bank Bordeaux: Merlot-dominant red blends completed by various amounts of Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon. While Pomerol has no official classification system, its best wines are some of the world’s most sought after.
Historically Pomerol attached itself to the larger and more picturesque neighboring region of St-Émilion until the late 1800s when discerning French consumers began to recognize the quality and distinction of Pomerol on its own. Its popularity spread to northern Europe in the early 1900s.
After some notable vintages of the 1940s, the Pomerol producer, Petrus, began to achieve great international attention and brought widespread recognition to the appellation. Its subsequent distribution by the successful Libourne merchant, Jean-Pierre Mouiex, magnified Pomerol's fame after the Second World War.
Perfect for Merlot, the soils of Pomerol—clay on top of well-drained subsoil—help to create wines capable of displaying an unprecedented concentration of color and flavor.
The best Pomerol wines will be intensely hued, with qualities of fresh wild berries, dried fig or concentrated black plum preserves. Aromas may be of forest floor, sifted cocoa powder, anise, exotic spice or toasted sugar and will have a silky, smooth but intense texture.