Fleur de Bouard, Chateau La
Summary
Château La Fleur de Boüard is a 25-30 hectare family estate in Lalande-de-Pomerol founded in 1998 by Hubert de Boüard (co-owner of Château Angélus), now increasingly managed by his daughter Coralie, producing Merlot-dominant wines from clay-gravel plateau soils. Their sophisticated technical approach combines traditional Bordeaux methods with modern innovations like gravity-flow winery design and temperature-controlled fermentation, helping elevate both the estate and the entire Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation beyond the shadow of neighboring Pomerol.
Heritage & Leadership
Château La Fleur de Boüard was established in 1998 in the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation on Bordeaux's Right Bank. The estate was founded by Hubert de Boüard de Laforest, who simultaneously maintains his role as co-owner of the prestigious Château Angélus, a Premier Grand Cru Classé A property in neighboring Saint-Émilion. The de Boüard family has maintained ownership since the château's inception, with Hubert's daughter, Coralie de Boüard, progressively assuming a more prominent role in the estate's management and winemaking operations. The family's decision to invest in Lalande-de-Pomerol reflected their interest in developing a property in this satellite appellation adjacent to the more famous Pomerol.
Vineyards & Wines
Château La Fleur de Boüard encompasses approximately 25-30 hectares of vineyards situated in the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation. The estate benefits from vineyards positioned on a plateau with favorable drainage conditions. The soil composition features the clay and gravel mixture typical of Bordeaux's Right Bank, providing an excellent foundation for Merlot cultivation. The vineyard is planted predominantly with Merlot (80-85%), complemented by smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, adhering to the traditional Right Bank varietal mix.
The estate produces two main wines: the flagship Château La Fleur de Boüard and a premium limited-production cuvée called Le Plus de La Fleur de Boüard. The latter has gained recognition as one of the leading wines from the Lalande-de-Pomerol appellation, demonstrating the quality potential of this satellite region.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Château La Fleur de Boüard combines traditional Bordeaux methods with modern technology. The estate employs temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks to ensure precise management of the vinification process. The winery infrastructure incorporates a gravity-flow design that minimizes harsh handling of the grapes and must, preserving fruit quality and integrity throughout production.
After fermentation, the wines mature in French oak barrels, with a significant portion of new oak used in the aging process. The estate implements selective harvesting practices and rigorous grape sorting to maintain quality standards. The technical approach to winemaking at La Fleur de Boüard often includes extended maceration periods to optimize color and tannin extraction, particularly important for wines based predominantly on Merlot. All production adheres to the regulations of the Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC, with the winemaking philosophy focused on expressing the distinctive character of this Right Bank terroir.