A sleeper of the vintage, this stunning effort is produced from a 5-acre, 70-year old vineyard planted with 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. Claude Gros, the brilliant oenologist responsible for some of the greatest wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon (Chateau La Negly), guides the winemaking at La Fleur Morange. A severe crop thinning, leaf pulling, and selection in the cellar resulted in a dense purple-colored 2001 offering a delicious perfume of blackberry and raspberry liqueur, high class toasty new oak, crushed stones, and acacia flowers. The impressive aromas are followed by a dense, full-bodied, beautifully textured St.-Emilion with great purity as well as palate presence. Give it 1-2 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 10-15.

I like the decadent character of this wine, with a meat, walnut shell and berry character. Full body with velvety tannins and a fresh finish. Drink or hold.