Highly allocated!
96-Points by Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pensées de Lafleur unwinds in the glass with aromas of raspberries, plums, Indian spices, licorice and black truffle, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and harmonious palate that’s seamless and layered, exhibiting beautiful balance and concluding with a long, perfumed palate. As readers will remember, this cuvée derives from vines growing in the part of Lafleur’s vineyard through which a water course once flowed and where the soils are richer in clay and better hydrated.
Blend: 57% Merlot, 43% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc). 
 
Les Pensées Founded in 1987 by Sylvie and Jacques Guinaudeau. Les Pensées originates from a small stretch of Pomerol clay in the center of Lafleur's gravel- dominated vineyard. The Cru of Les Pensées brings together fi nesse and complexity, resulting in a distinct interpretation of Lafleur. Historically a much coveted second wine, Les Pensées evolved into a defined Cru detached from the surrounding Lafleur parcels. Today Les Pensées is considered as one of the great wines of the plateau of Pomerol. AOC Pomerol.
 
Vineyard Notes
The vineyard of Château Lafleur is planted on three quite different soils: to the north-west we find sandy-clay gravel, to the south and to the east clay gravel, and at the heart of the vineyard gravelly sand. This unique association of soils helps in explaining in part the singularity of Lafleur. At the same time, we must mention the special combination of grape varieties, almost equal parts of Merlots and Bouchets, which highly contributes to the complexity of the wines made at Château Lafleur.
 
 
Château Lafleur is a tiny (4.5ha, 11 acres) family-run property in the Pomerol appellation on Bordeaux's Right Bank. Its grand vin of the same name, a combination of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, is known for its concentration, creamy texture, intense black fruits and spicy character. 
The wine is also powerfully structured and needs more cellaring than most wines in the appellation. In the best vintages it can last half a century.
Famous US wine critic Robert Parker has called it "one of the most distinctive, most exotic, and greatest wines – not only in Pomerol, but in the world". Thanks in part to regular praise from Parker, who first visited in 1975, it is one of the most sought-after and highest priced wines on our database.
Lafleur was founded in 1872 when Henri Greloud, the owner of Château Le Gay, bought the plot. It remains in the family and is now run his great, great grandchildren Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau. There are now six distinct vineyards (or groups of parcels) within the portfolio, each corresponding to a distinct wine.
Château Lafleur main vineyard
The vineyard sits on deep layers of gravel on the edge of the Pomerol plateau, next to the La Fleur-Pétrus estate – another of the region's blue-chip wineries. The Lafleur vineyard is planted 50/50 between Merlot and Bouchet - the traditional local name for Cabernet Franc used by the Guinaudeau family.
The unusually high proportion of the latter which contributes greatly to the wine's capacity (and need) for ageing. Yields are very low even by the standards of Pomerol.
Pensées de Lafleur
This plot on a stretch of clay within the main Lafleur property (see image) was planted in 1987. The 1988 to 1999 vintages served as a second wine based on the younger vine age compared to the rest of the property.
From 2000 the focus shifted to the distinct soil types, and the borders of the new cru were refined with each vintage. From this point Pensées was no longer regarded as a second wine.
The plot now covers 0.7ha (1.7 acres) on clay and sand with some gravel. These are much richer and deeper soils than those which surround it.
Harvest usually occurs a few days after that for Château Lafleur. The wine tends to be composed of 50 to 70 percent Merlot and 30 to 50 percent Bouchet. 
Château Grand Village
The Guideaneau family and Societé Civile du Château Lafleur also produce this Bordeaux Supérieur label. Château Grand Village was founded in 1650 by a distant ancestor of the Guinaudeau family.
The estate is located in Mouillac, part of the canton of Fronsac, and covers 50 hectares (124 acres), with 20ha of vines (49.5 acres). Since the early 1980s the vineyard work and winemaking have been more closely aligned to that of Lafleur. 
Château Grand Village Blanc
This white wine was introduced in the early 1990s. Convinced of the potential of Sauvignon blanc on clay-rich Fronsac soils on limestone, some parcels, replanted with red varieties from the 1960s onwards, were restored to Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
From around 2000 high-end vineyard practices associated with the flagship Lafleur were introduced. New parcels were planted with vinestock originating from Sancerre in the Loire.  Over time winemaking also evolved, mastering oxygen intake and barrel aging on the lees.
Les Perrières
This red wine from the Fronsac region was launched with the 2018 release. The vineyard is composed of five adjacent parcels on the limestone plateau of Meyney. It is planted 50:50 to Cabernet Franc propagated from Lafleur, and Merlot.
Les Champs Libres
The Sauvignon Blanc white wine of this name made its debut with the 2013 vintage. It has developed out of the experience gained from producing the Grand Village Blanc.
To produce the wine the best barrels are blended from four Sauvignon parcels on the clay-limestone soils of the plateau of Louima.