92-94. Barrel sample. Made in an elegant style, this wine has richness without weight. It is stylish with some freshness, bearing black fruits and a perfumed finish.

Very restrained today, with singed balsa wood and incense notes that lend a perfumy edge. The core of dark plum and red currant fruit waits in reserve, while hints of alder and mesquite grace the finish. This should deliver some wonderful aromatics when the fruit fills out and meshes with the structure. Drink now through 2017. 4,125 cases made.

The 2011 Château La Fleur-Petrus is surprisingly forward and as someone that bangs Bordeaux, I would not begrudge anyone for opening this now. It has plenty of fruit on the nose: raspberry coulis, truffle and just a touch of menthol that evolves after an hour the bottle has been opened. This is precocious in the context of the vintage. The palate is soft and fleshy on the entry, quite saline with sappy black fruit, fruit-forward for the first hour, but then seeming to run out of ideas after an hour and thinning out (whereas the 2012 fans out). As a consequence, it just feels a little grainy and hard, in contrast to the more comely bouquet. Tasted February 2016.

Good full ruby. Rich, mellow aromas of blackcurrant, plum and licorice. Dense, seamless and deep, with spicy plum and tobacco flavors enlivened by good peppery thrust. At once bright and suave, finishing with sneaky length. An outstanding, very well balanced wine that only lacks the complexity of the best vintages.