Chateau La Fleur Petrus Pomerol 2017
Château La Fleur Pétrus is one of the most esteemed estates in the Pomerol appellation on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, first acquired by Jean Pierre Moueix in 1950 as his first Pomerol purchase and subsequently expanded through strategic vine acquisitions including parcels from neighbouring Le Gay and Guillot. It is part of the renowned Moueix family portfolio, which also includes legendary Pomerol estates such as Château Pétrus, Château Trotanoy, Château Lafleur, Château Gazin, and Château L’Évangile, underscoring the family’s unparalleled expertise and influence in the Right Bank.
Today the property spans approximately 18.7 hectares on the renowned "Pomerol plateau", where subtle variations of deep gravel, clay and iron rich soils contribute both structure and elegance to the wines. Its vineyards are planted predominantly to Merlot with supporting Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot and meticulous sustainable vineyard practices are followed though the estate is not formally certified organic. The estate’s size is notable in a region defined by tiny parcels and its close proximity to legendary neighbours such as Château Pétrus and Château Lafleur adds to its prestige while allowing broader production without diluting quality; Château La Fleur Pétrus is pricier than some of its smaller Pomerol neighbours because it combines prime terroir, consistent quality, prestigious ownership and has a prime location on the excellent Pomerol plateau. The 2017 vintage in Bordeaux was challenging overall, marked by an early budburst followed by variable weather and a historic late frost in some regions; on the clay rich Pomerol plateau the vines largely avoided frost, allowing ripening that produced elegant, fragrant wines with poised acidity and fine tannins.
Château La Fleur Pétrus Pomerol 2017 is a blend of approximately 93% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, hand harvested and vinified with careful attention to extraction and balance. After fermentation with indigenous yeasts in temperature controlled vats, the wine is matured in French oak barrels, a portion of which are new, for around 18 to 24 months, allowing integration of fruit, tannin and oak influence. In the glass the wine shows deep garnet colour with aromas of black cherry, plum, kirsch, violet and spice, leading to a refined yet richly textured palate with fine tannins and a long mineral finish. It pairs beautifully with roasted lamb, braised beef, game and mature cheeses. Now approaching a compelling drinking window with decanting, it has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 15-25 years.