Decanter: Lafleur manages to deliver extremely ripe fruits without being in the slightest bit sweet. You could almost be on the left bank if it wasn't for the silkiness of the tannins and the floral aspect on the aftertaste. Cabernet dominates at this stage, a gorgeous, sappy wine with huge, dense curls of liquorice and anis that spiral through the mouth as this wine stretches endlessly out in front of you. Layers of flavour change every minute; first coffee and black chocolate, then tightly fleshed out black fruits, then some Pomerol glamour. Hard to wipe the smile off your face when tasting this! 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Merlot. 98-100 points.

Neal Martin: The 2016 Lafleur is a blend of 45% Merlot and 55% Cabernet Franc picked 24-30 September and 11 October, matured in one-third new oak and around 14.3% alcohol. It has a very backward bouquet that demanded a lot of coaxing from the glass. Here there are introspective black fruit, a touch of shucked oyster shell and Japanese nori, opening reluctantly with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a saline entry, spicier than the 2015 Lafleur when I tasted it from barrel last year, edgy and minerally with a touch of truffle towards the persistent finish. This is a cerebral and yet vivacious Lafleur at this prenatal stage, a great Pomerol that will require a decade in bottle. Baptiste Guinaudeau appeared quietly confident about this latest vintage and he has every right to be. Do afford it plenty of cellaring, th it's not a 2016 to appease those without patience.