90pts Wine Advocate– 2011 vintage

The 2011 La Fleur de Bouard is a rich, full-bodied, ripe, heady, satisfying effort. Big, chewy and delicious, it showcases super-ripe Merlot picked late from small yields. In a relatively short period of time, Hubert de Bouard has created a reference point for how great Lalande de Pomerol can be. When tasted 10-15 years after the vintage, de Bouards wines consistently prove his conviction that he is sitting on a special terroir, even though this appellation is a humble one compared to his nearby neighbors, Pomerol and St.-Emilion.

89/91pts Wine Advocate– 2011 vintage

The luxury cuvee, the 2011 La Plus de la Fleur de Bouard (100% Merlot from a 5-acre parcel of 40-year-old vines), exhibits over-the-top concentration (yields were an amazingly low 20 hectoliters per hectare). An opaque blue/purple color is followed by aromas of blueberry jam, melted chocolate, spring flowers, graphite and subtle oak. Both elegant and powerful, this is a rich, textured, full-throttle claret to drink over the next 10-15+ years. A brilliant reference point wine for Lalande de Pomerol, owner Hubert de Bouard consistently over-achieves in most vintages.

86/88pts Wine Advocate– 2011 vintage

The 2011 is a little subdued on the nose although the palate shows good structure and depth. The tannins are rather bold and the oak accentuated on this occasion. The finish is dark and broody, the fruit perhaps squeezed out by the cooler, low pressure conditions. Tasted April 2012.