Winery Overview & History
Château Lafleur is one of Pomerol’s most treasured and enigmatic estates. Founded in the mid-19th century by the Greloud family, the vineyard takes its name from the flower that once adorned its land. Despite its modest size, Lafleur has achieved legendary status, admired for its precision, longevity, and purity of expression.
Since 1985, the estate has been managed by Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau, whose meticulous care and respect for terroir have elevated Lafleur into one of Bordeaux’s most sought-after wines, often rivaling the great Pétrus next door.
Vineyard Location & Terroir
The 4.5-hectare vineyard lies on the Pomerol plateau between Château Pétrus and Château La Fleur-Pétrus. The soil is a delicate mosaic of gravel, clay, and sand over iron-rich subsoils. This rare combination creates exceptional drainage and balance, contributing to Lafleur’s hallmark intensity and finesse.
Grape Varieties & Wine Style
The vineyard is evenly divided between Cabernet Franc (50%) and Merlot (50%). This unusual balance produces wines of extraordinary structure and perfume. Cabernet Franc lends aromatic lift and firmness, while Merlot adds depth and sensual texture. Together they form a wine that is both intellectual and deeply emotional.
Château Lafleur is renowned for its complex bouquet of violet, truffle, black cherry, and graphite. On the palate, it combines richness with tension, aging gracefully for decades. Each vintage reflects the individuality of its terroir, crafted with purity and restraint.
Signature Wines
- Château Lafleur (Grand Vin) — Produced in very small quantities (around 1,000 cases per year), it is one of Bordeaux’s most coveted and age-worthy wines.
- Les Pensées de Lafleur — The estate’s second wine, sourced from the heart of the vineyard, showing Lafleur’s character in a gentler, earlier-drinking style.
Winemaking & Cellar Practices
Every stage of production at Lafleur is guided by precision. Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in temperature-controlled concrete vats. The wines are aged in 50–60% new French oak for 15–18 months. Minimal intervention and no fining or filtration preserve the integrity of the fruit and terroir. The result is a wine of depth, purity, and quiet power.
Visitor & Contact Information
Address: 33500 Pomerol, France
Phone: +33 5 57 51 41 71
Website: www.chateau-lafleur.fr
Email: contact@chateau-lafleur.fr
Visiting: By private appointment only
* Photo Courtesy of Cult Wines