Chateau Lafleur: Vineyard, Winemaking, Best Wines (2024)

Want to know more about the exclusive Chateau Lafleur wines before adding one to your wine collection?

This family-owned winery sits right on top of the “Pomerol pyramid” along with Chateau Petrus and Château Le Pin. Only 1000 cases of the Grand Vin are made annually - so exclusive that even some of the most famed wine critics don’t get to try their rarer vintages! 

How did Chateau Lafleur get started? What makes these Bordeaux wines so sought-after by collectors? How can you get your hands on a bottle?

In this article, we will find out what Chateau Lafleur is all about - it’s history, the famed vineyard, viticulture, and winemaking techniques. Also find out the Best Chateau Lafleur Wines and a Hassle-Free Way Of Adding This Wine To Your Collection! 

A Quick Intro To Chateau Lafleur

Chateau Lafleur is a tiny 4.5 hectare estate in Bordeaux's Right Bank and is located close to Chateau Petrus in the Pomerol wine region, France. (Not to be confused with “Chateau La Fleur Petrus,” which is situated between these Chateaux.)

Lafleur is owned and run by Sylvie and Jacques Guinaudeau, and they produce wines of exceptional quality. 

The wines are typically a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and sometimes include Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. They are known for their incredible aging potential.

Let’s take a look at how this small winery made a name for itself. 

Also read: 

• Explore the Pomerol appellation and the great wine bottles produced there. 
• And if you want to impress your guests with the perfect welcome drink, try out a Fruity Sangria or a Classy Kir Royale.

A Brief History Of Chateau Lafleur

Henri Greloud, the owner of Chateau Le Gay, bought a plot and founded Chateau Lafleur in 1872.

Both Châteaux were part of Le Manoir de Gay in the 18th century. After Henri Greloud purchased the land, the two wineries were split between his two sons. Andre Robin, Henri’s granddaughter’s husband, eventually inherited Domaine de Lafleur in 1915.

By 1893, Chateau Lafleur wines became known as one of the best winemakers in the Pomerol appellation along with Chateau Petrus and Vieux Chateau Certan. 

Marie and Therese Robin, Andre’s daughters, inherited Lafleur and Le Gay in 1946. The sisters were uninterested in building on the fame of Lafleur and preferred to stay in the shadow of their famous neighbor Chateau Petrus. 

However, a visit from the famed wine critic Robert Parker in 1975 and his notes on Lafleur wines excited consumers worldwide. Chateau Lafleur became one of the most sought-after wines and started selling for more than Bordeaux First Growths. 

In 1981, the Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix managed Chateau Lafleur on behalf of Marie Robin. 

In 2001, Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau, Henri’s great-great-grandchildren, took over and restored the wine estate and vineyard. 

Today, Jacques’ son, Baptiste Guinadeau, and his wife work with his parents to continue building on the legacy of these Bordeaux wines. 

Discover more: Can’t decide which red wine to serve at dinner? Try the smokey Zinfandel. If you want something a bit more refreshing - try out a Lovely Rose Wine.

The Chateau Lafleur Vineyard

When Jacques and Sylvie took over in 1985, they noticed that 40% of the vines were dead or missing. Not knowing what the missing vines were (probably Merlot or Bouchet), they had to replace the vines without upsetting the other 60%.

The vines at the Chateau Lafleur Cru are divided into 24 separate parcels. Often you will find Merlot and Cabernet Franc are planted next to one another. 

The chateau Lafleur blends use the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc in the region, contributing to the wines’ fantastic age-ability. 

The Chateau Lafleur vineyard is planted in a neat square at the center of the Pomerol plateau. 

Four different soil types (including gravel, sandy gravel and clay, and sand) complement one another making up the terroir perfect for growing Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This terroir lends its uniqueness to Chateau Lafleur wines instilling complexity, balance, and character - evident in each tasting note. 

To preserve these characteristics, Jacques follows rigid viticultural practices:

• Soils are never turned - they are just raked. This allows large gravel stones in the terroir to remain at the top and protects each vine from heat.
• Soils in the vineyard are not worked on in July to compensate for the slight water deficit (in summer) and to aid in the ripening process. 
• Each vine is manually pruned and worked on one at a time to minimize the chances of any damage. 
• Jacques visits the Lafleur vineyard daily to check on the progress of the grape vines. 
• Plots and subplots are harvested one at a time to ensure each grape variety has reached the maximum level of ripeness. 

Let’s find out what happens after the grapes are harvested. 

Winemaking Techniques At Chateau Lafleur

After the grapes have been sorted at the tiny farmhouse, they are vinified in small traditional cement vats, and malolactic fermentation is done in a barrel. 

After a maceration period of three weeks, winemakers separate the juice from the skins, and the liquid is poured into French oak barrels, where it stays for several months before blending. 

Generally, Chateau Lafleur is aged in 25% new French oak barrels. The remainder of the aging takes place in barrels from Grand Village (Lafleur’s sister estate in Fronsac.) Typically these Bordeaux wines are aged for 15 months before bottling. 

• Discover more: Want to find the perfect white wine for a hot sunny day? Try out the Aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, the Refreshing Pouilly Fuissé, or a Fruit Forward Pinot Blanc.

Chateau Lafleur Wine Serving and Food Pairing 

To get the most out of Chateau Lafleur wines, pour them into a decanter and let them breathe for 2-4 hours. Then, serve at a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 oC.)

And if you decide to open a bottle of this stunning wine - pair it with classic meat dishes - roasted, grilled, or braised. This wine from France also pairs well with hearty seafood and Asian dishes. 

8 Of The Best Chateau Lafleur Wines To Buy In 2024 (Including Taste, Prices)

Here’s a list of some of the best wines produced by Chateau Lafleur - some of them would be perfect for your collection and would make some of the greatest wine gifts for a connoisseur! 

1. 1961 Chateau Lafleur, Pomerol, France

This vintage has an exotic bouquet of dark chocolate, eucalyptus-infused black fruit, and touches of brine. 

The medium-bodied palate has impressive depth and an exquisite balance. You will enjoy tasting flavors of bay leaf, fruit, and sage, leading you to a compelling finish. 

Price of 1961 Chateau Lafleur: $11,562

2. 1982 Chateau Lafleur, Pomerol, France

The 1982 Lafleur vintage shows more Cabernet Sauvignon characteristics compared to any other vintage. It has a fantastic bouquet that presents bacon fat and hot gravel notes. 

The full-bodied palate is beautifully balanced and will have you tasting loads of flavors of gorgeous fruit, including red fruit and black cherry. It has a fine tannic structure which leads you to a fantastic and stunningly long finish.

Price of 1982 Chateau Lafleur: $6,289

3. 1950 Chateau Lafleur, Pomerol, France

This vintage is mesmerizing and has beetroot, smoke, nuts, and deep earthy notes on the nose. 

Tasting this full-bodied wine continues to impress with every sip as intense flavors of jam, cherry, fruit, and spice continue to develop. This rich and velvety-textured Bordeaux wine has a warm mouthfeel and a sweet long-lasting finish. 

Price of 1950 Chateau Lafleur: $5,054

4. 2005 Chateau Lafleur, Pomerol, France

The 2005 vintage presents a dense purple and ruby hue in the glass, and a stunning bouquet of kirsch liqueur, flowers, black truffle, and licorice. 

On the palate, there is a compelling richness to this full-bodied vintage wine. It has the right amount of power, structure, and tannin level to let it last in a cellar for a while. 

Price of 2005 Chateau Lafleur: $2,063

• Also: Take a tour of Italy and discover the fantastic range of Chianti Wines.

5. 1990 Chateau Lafleur 'Les Pensees de Lafleur', Pomerol, France

This second wine of Chateau Lafleur is made from the Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and other grape varieties that do not meet the Grand Vin’s standard. This wine needs some time to breathe before you get the delightful notes of kirsch and melted tar. 

When tasting this medium-bodied wine, you will notice notes of dried herb, tobacco, black fruit, and cloves on the palate. 

Price of 1990 Chateau Lafleur 'Les Pensees de Lafleur': $346

6. 1995 Chateau Lafleur 'Les Pensees de Lafleur', Pomerol, France

A blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this wine opens up with gorgeous aromas of tobacco, fruit, and olives. 

Although this wine needs some more time to develop, this full-bodied wine already exhibits divine flavors of chocolate, minerals, flowers, mokka, ripe fruit, réglisse, and spices. The soft tannins lead you to a fantastic finish. 

Price of 1995 Chateau Lafleur 'Les Pensees de Lafleur': $286

7. 2015 Les Champs Libres Bordeaux Blanc, France

This wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc and has a lovely aroma of grapefruit, pears, white peaches, and just a hint of orange blossoms and lime zest. 

The medium-bodied palate has excellent structure with chalky notes, minerality, and a refreshing finish. 

Price of 2015 Les Champs Libres Bordeaux Blanc: $81‍

8. 2018 Les Perrieres de Lafleur, Bordeaux, France

This deep purple-black colored wine presents unique aromas of crushed black mulberries, plum, boysenberries, with just a hint of spiced chocolate cake. 

It is a medium- to full-bodied wine with complex layers that will have you tasting exotic spice and blackberry flavors. The beautifully ripe tannins lead you to a racy long-lasting finish. 

Price of 2018 Les Perrieres de Lafleur: $71

Why You Should Invest In Chateau Lafleur Wine

Chateau Lafleur is not a wine you drink young. The longer you store it, the better it becomes. Depending on the vintage, a Lafleur wine could reach its peak maturity between 15 and 50 years after the vintage. 

Lafleur has also received some rave reviews from famous wine critics. For example, Robert Parker has given the perfect 100 point score for the 1947, 1950, 1982, 2000, and 2005 vintages. 

In 2012, Lafleur was one of the labels chosen to be among Anthony Hanson of Christie’s finest wine brands that present reliable returns in the exchange market and at auction.

The limited production also makes these wines a rare commodity in the wine investment world. While Cheval Blanc (St Emilion region), Margaux, and Latour (Medoc region) produce 8,000, 12,000, and 11,000 cases, respectively, Lafleur only produces 1000 cases annually.

This reflects in its steady price appreciation. 

• The 1959 Chateau Lafleur vintage saw an incredible price appreciation of 55% over two years, going from $2372 to $3673 per bottle (from 2019 to 2021.) 
• The younger 2018 vintage has also done well over the last two years, with a 52% price appreciation from $1010 to $1539 per bottle. 

Also, these auction results would be enough to make any wine enthusiast excited:

• At a Sotheby’s auction in 2018, two 6-magnum lots of the 1982 Chateau Lafleur fetched an incredible $133,218. 
• In 2016, at a Hart Davis Hart Wine Co. auction, six magnums of the 1982 Chateau Lafleur reached a record-breaking $59,750. 

Want to invest in this exclusive wine yourself? 

The 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2015 vintages are already starting to show promise on the market. 

But, how can you get a bottle of this exclusive Bordeaux wine for your collection? And how can you make sure you don’t end up with counterfeit wine?

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Benefits Of Buying And Storing Your Wine Through Vinovest

Take a look at some of the fantastic benefits of working with Vinovest. 

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Get An Exclusive Chateau Lafleur For Your Collection

Chateau Lafleur represents the best of Pomerol, and the wines are a real treat for all red wine lovers - if you can get your hands on them! 

And the easiest way to buy, store, and sell wines like Lafleur is through Vinovest. 

Sign up today and get your hands on this exclusive wine and more.