Lafleur

History of Château Lafleur

Château Lafleur was founded in 1872 by Henri Greloud, a visionary who acquired 4.5 hectares of vines on a unique terroir in Pomerol. Originally, this property was part of the Le Gay estate before being divided into two distinct growths. From its inception, Lafleur established its singularity within the appellation thanks to the 'quality over quantity' philosophy instated by André Robin, Henri Greloud's son-in-law, when he took over the estate at the beginning of the 20th century.

For nearly 50 years, André Robin's daughters, Thérèse and Marie, managed the estate in almost absolute confidentiality, focusing solely on the quality of the wines produced. They never sought recognition, preferring to devote their lives to preserving the integrity of the terroir and producing exceptional wines. In 1984, after Thérèse's passing, Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau, direct descendants of Henri Greloud, took over the management of the estate before buying it entirely in 2002.

Today, Baptiste Guinaudeau and his wife Julie perpetuate the family legacy, bringing their modern touch while respecting traditions. Thanks to their efforts, Château Lafleur continues to distinguish itself among the greatest Bordeaux wines, rivalling Petrus and other legendary growths.

Several vintages of Château Lafleur, including 2000, 1947, 1982, 2005, 2015, 1945, 1950 and 2019, have achieved perfection with 100/100 from Robert Parker. The 2009, 2020 and 2016 are rated 99/100, and 1979, 2017, 2018, 1975, 1961 and 2010 receive 98/100.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Lafleur

Château Lafleur's vineyard extends over an area of 4.58 hectares, making it one of the smallest properties in Pomerol. What makes Lafleur unique is the diversity of its soils. Divided into three distinct types, the terroir is composed of sandy-clay gravels, clay gravels, and gravelly sands. This unique combination of soils offers an ideal environment for cultivating the estate's two emblematic grape varieties: Merlot and Cabernet Franc (or Bouchet, as it is locally called).

The grape varieties at Château Lafleur are equally divided between Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This distribution is relatively rare in Pomerol, where Merlot often dominates. Here, Cabernet Franc plays an essential role, bringing structure and freshness to the wines. The vines, some of which are over 60 years old, benefit from careful cultivation conditions. Integrated pest management is favoured, thus limiting the use of phytosanitary products and respecting the environment. Each plot is meticulously worked, giving the vineyard an almost artisanal dimension.

Winemaking at Château Lafleur

Winemaking at Château Lafleur is a meticulous process that reflects respect for nature and terroir. Each step is designed to highlight the unique character of the grapes while preserving their purity. The harvest is carried out manually, plot by plot, with particular attention paid to phenolic ripeness. This rigorous monitoring allows each bunch to be harvested at its optimum, thus guaranteeing a perfect expression of the grape varieties.

The grapes are then carefully sorted before being vinified in small concrete vats, adapted to the modest size of the estate. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels, a method adopted since 1991, thus contributing to the richness and complexity of the wines. Château Lafleur uses about 25% new French oak barrels for ageing, which preserves the natural balance of the wine without masking it under excessive woody notes. The ageing lasts about 15 months, during which the wines acquire their structure, depth, and exceptional ageing potential.

The cuvées of Château Lafleur

Château Lafleur is distinguished by two main cuvées, each reflecting a different facet of the terroir:

Château Lafleur 

The estate's grand vin, renowned for its elegance and depth. The equal blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc gives a wine of rare complexity. The silky tannins, freshness and salinity on the palate, as well as the floral aromas (violet, black cherry) are trademarks of this cuvée. Lafleur ages admirably well and can improve for decades. The 2021 vintage, for example, is praised for its perfect balance, floral notes, and precise tannic structure.

Pensées de Lafleur

Contrary to what one might think, Les Pensées de Lafleur is not a second wine, but a different expression of the vineyard. Sourced from a distinct 0.8-hectare plot, this wine is crafted with the same rigour as the grand vin. The blend, often dominated by Merlot, reflects a more accessible interpretation of the terroir, while retaining the finesse and elegance typical of Lafleur. With a velvety texture and aromas of red fruits and spices, it offers an immediate tasting experience while possessing excellent ageing potential.

In addition to these two main cuvées, the Guinaudeau family also produces wines under the Château Grand Village label, located near Pomerol. These wines, both red and white, benefit from the same care as those produced at Lafleur, and are acclaimed for their impressive quality.

Pomerol, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious appellations, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. The most notable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990, renowned for their complexity and longevity. Other exceptional years such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 continue to delight fine wine enthusiasts. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed Pomerol's ability to offer wines of exceptional quality, thus cementing the appellation's reputation amongst Bordeaux's finest.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the Right Bank, where each estate rivals in excellence. Beyond the legendary Pétrus, explore prestigious names such as Beauregard, Bon Pasteur, Clinet, Gazin, Haut Trochaud, L'Eglise Clinet, La Conseillante, La Fleur Pétrus, Lafleur, Le Pin, Latour à Pomerol, Nénin, Trotanoy, or even Vieux Château Certan. These estates, often compared to the great classified growths of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, which will delight connoisseurs of fine wines. 

Château Lafleur is undoubtedly one of the jewels of the Pomerol appellation. With its rich history, exceptional terroir, and family know-how passed down from generation to generation, the estate continues to produce wines that are among the most sought-after and appreciated in the world. Whether with its grand vin or Les Pensées de Lafleur, each cuvée offers a unique expression of the terroir, combining elegance, complexity, and balance. Château Lafleur is much more than a prestigious wine: it is a true living legend that delights discerning enthusiasts with each vintage.

Don't forget to discover also other great estates and chateaux of Bordeaux such as our great Bordeaux White, with Yquem, the wolrd's greatest Sauternes !