ICYMI: (Chris Kissack) Ch“teau Lafleur to leave Pomerol appellation

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Yule Kim

Yule Kim
Chris Kissack posted this elsewhere, but just in case you missed it.

The email Kissack received from Lafleur is below:

Climate is changing fast and hard, that much is clear. The vintages 2015, 2019, and above all 2022, were all strong evidence of that. 2025 goes a step further. We must think, readapt, act.

Our decision-making and the resulting practices are in fact evolving much faster than what is authorised in our Appellations of Origine system.

Consequently, while maintaining the utmost respect for our fellow producers and the appellations of Pomerol and Bordeaux, we have decided to cease adhering to the appellations of Pomerol and Bordeaux beginning with the 2025 vintage.

The six wines of Société Civile du Ch“teau Lafleur will be designated as Vin de France beginning with the 2025 vintage.
 
originally posted by Pavel Tchichikov:
finally! to paraphrase Marc's quote from the neighbouring thread, some beginner-style Bordeaux that will appeal to newbies
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And, I'm sure, at bargain-basement, beginner-style Bordeaux prices. (I'm guessing VdTs from new-ish producers start around $1,000 a bottle nowadays; thank you Instagram)
 
AOC (AOP) rules were not intended to help the Lafleurs of the world. They were intended to raise consumer confidence: if a bottle of Ch. Tomdick et Harry says "Pomerol" on it then it contains wine made from fresh grapes, those grapes are of the right kinds, and the growing/vinifying practices are normal.

Of course, this definition should adapt with broad changes over time. But simply ignoring them is how anybody from anywhere can put anything in a bottle and call it Pomerol, as was occurring in 1935 before INAO codifications.

"Inventing Wine: A New History of One of the World's Most Ancient Pleasures" by Paul Lukacs is a good read on the topic.
 
Lafleur's letter says it's basically because they decided they had to irrigate this year and liked the results enough to keep it around. If Petrus, Trotanoy, l'Evangile, l'Eglise Clinet, and VCC start doing the same thing then I guess their assessment is probably correct. But if Lafleur becomes the only irrigator on the plateau, that ends up looking kinda weird.
 
originally posted by Keith Levenberg:
Lafleur's letter says it's basically because they decided they had to irrigate this year and liked the results enough to keep it around. If Petrus, Trotanoy, l'Evangile, l'Eglise Clinet, and VCC start doing the same thing then I guess their assessment is probably correct. But if Lafleur becomes the only irrigator on the plateau, that ends up looking kinda weird.
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Depends on how the wine comes out, doesn’t it?
 
originally posted by Keith Levenberg:
Lafleur's letter says it's basically because they decided they had to irrigate this year and liked the results enough to keep it around. If Petrus, Trotanoy, l'Evangile, l'Eglise Clinet, and VCC start doing the same thing then I guess their assessment is probably correct. But if Lafleur becomes the only irrigator on the plateau, that ends up looking kinda weird.
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don't forget how sensitive Franc is to drought stress, and how few Pomerols use as much of it as Lafleur.
 
originally posted by Jay Miller:
originally posted by Pavel Tchichikov:
originally posted by Jay Miller:

I tried Lafleur for the first time last year. Not my cup of tea.
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which vintage mon ami?
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1998 and 1999
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I've not had these two, but the 2000 last year was absolutely superb/delicious. You'd love it! Not sure I've had a Bordeaux (including Cheval Blanc) so expressive of Cabernet Franc, not so much its leafy side but the deep floral/baking spice variety of saumur persuasion. Sorry to hear about the '98; I'd expect it to be - theoretically - quite good.
 
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