Wine Advocate (96)

This wine has turned out beautifully from bottle, far superior to the impressive barrel samples! Sadly, production is limited to a mere 350 cases. Dense purple to the rim, with a superb bouquet of acacia flowers, blueberries, black currants, and crushed rocks, the wine’s oak component is completely obscured by the wealth of fruit and overall rich, concentrated style. As I have indicated in the past, this blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc emerges from a vineyard averaging 100 years of age. Yields are a tiny 21 hectoliters per hectare. This exquisite St.-Emilion should be accessible in 5-7 years, and last for 25 or more. Kudos to the brilliant oenologist, Claude Gros, who produced this masterpiece.

Wine Advocate (91)

The wine was a little closed when I tasted it, but I want to remind readers that I forgot to include the 2011 La Fleur Morange in my review of that vintage in Issue #212 and it is a real winner. It is a stunning example of the vintage and quite drinkable and showy at present. The 2011 is the same blend as the 2013.

Indulge your palate with 'La Fleur Morange 2020', a compelling Saint-Emilion Grand Cru from the Bordeaux region of France. Made from 100% Merlot grapes, revered winemakers Véronique and Jean-François Despagne masterfully cultivate the La Fleur Morange vineyard's century-old vines. The couple hand-harvests the grapes, conducting an intensive and meticulous sorting process to ensure quality. Post-harvest, the grapes undergo fermentation in concrete vats, then mature in French oak barrels for 18 to 24 months for optimum flavour.

The result is a full-bodied red crafted in the traditional Bordeaux style, known for its robust structure, rich, rounded tannins, and elegant, intoxicating aroma marked by dark fruits and hints of cocoa. Reflecting the producer's commitment to terroir expression, La Fleur Morange 2020 delivers a unique balance between magnitude and elegance, making it an unforgettable testament to the art of fine winemaking.

The Fleur Morange Mathilde 2018 is a singularity in the realm of Saint-Émilion grand crus. This magnificent wine is a testament to the expert craftsmanship of its creators, Véronique and Jean-François Despagne. Cultivated from 100-year-old Merlot vines on a solitary hectare of limestone and clay soil, it captures the essence of one of the most revered wine appellations in Bordeaux.

The 2018 vintage proffers a fine balance of freshness and power, expressing a bouquet of ripe blackberries, black currants, and underlying earthy notes. This full-bodied wine, matured for 18 months in new oak, offers a lusciously dense palate, with a prolonged finish portraying the elegance and complexity of its terroir.

Fleur Morange Mathilde 2018's remarkable quality and charm resoundingly affirm the Despagne estate's commitment to preserving and propagating Saint-Émilion’s distinguished wine heritage. It's a captivating addition for any wine lover's collection.