2012 Le Plus de la Fleur de Bouard

Although aged in 100% new French oak, the 2012 La Plus hides it incredibly well. Blackberry and blueberry liqueur notes intermixed with acacia flowers, chocolate and vanillin jump from the glass of this full-bodied, opulent, pedal-to-the-metal style of Lalande de Pomerol. It will age effortlessly for 10-15 years. The reigning reference point for just how remarkable the wines of Lalande de Pomerol can be is La Fleur de Bouard (I highly recommend visiting these cellars which are all gravity fed). The 2012 La Fleur de Bouard was produced from relatively high yields of 42 hectoliters per hectare, but you would never know that tasting the wine. The limited production 5-acre vineyard that produced the 2012 La Plus de la Fleur de Bouard is hors classe. Cropped at 20 hectoliters per hectare, with 14.5% natural alcohol, this is a big, bruising wine. Both wines come from the high Neac plateau of the appellation.

Inky core. Sweet spicy oak, dark fruited. Dry and hard at the moment. Masses of oak and very dry tannins. But when you get through all that, there's ripe dark fruit and a finesse that will be hidden until all the winemaking has died back. Chewy but rich. (JH)