Château Lafleur, Pomerol

General information:

Château Lafleur is one of the absolute top wine estates not only in the Pomerol appellation on the right bank of the Dordogne, but in the whole world. It is a direct neighbour of legends such as Pétrus (with which it was once partly under joint management) and Le Pin. In contrast to many of its famous neighbours, Lafleur consistently refrains from buying in grapes and only presses what grows on its own 4.5 hectares of vineyards.

Site & soil:

At the heart of the estate are two plots on a plateau approximately 500 metres long and 50 metres wide. The soil is a unique mixture of coarse gravel, clay and fine sand ("Graves"), under which lies a layer of ferrous sandstone ("Crase de Fer"). This complex geology gives the wines their special minerality and tension.

Grape varieties & wine:

The unusual grape variety distribution of around 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc (a rarity in Pomerol) is the hallmark of Lafleur. The Cabernet Franc gives the wine an unrivalled structure, freshness, aromatic complexity (violet-like floral notes, spices) and enormous longevity.
The Grand Vin, Château Lafleur, is a wine of intellectual depth and great power, often described as "masculine" and "vertical". It combines mineral rigour, dense fruit (black and red berries, plum) and incredible freshness to create a monumental, extremely long-lived work of art. It often requires 15-20 years of bottle ageing to develop its full harmony.

Specialities:

Pensées de Lafleur: The second wine (since 1987), vinified from younger vines or less central parcels. It is more accessible, more fruit-driven and reflects the character of the Grand Vin in an elegant, earlier drinkable form.
Exclusivity & price:Due to the tiny production volume (approx. 12,000 bottles per year) and its legendary reputation, Château Lafleur is one of the rarest and most expensive wines in the world.
Philosophy: The estate is run by the Guinaudeau family with the utmost dedication and minimalist intervention in the cellar. The focus is absolutely on the expression of the terroir.

Conclusion:

Château Lafleur is a wine myth. It does not stand for opulent, immediate accessibility, but for uncompromising concentration, complex structure and timeless elegance. It is a collector's item and a wine for connoisseurs, embodying the unique combination of exceptional terroir, historic grape varieties and artisanal perfection. In the world of wine, it is often considered to be on the same level as the best Premier Crus of the Médoc and Burgundy.