Fleur Morange, Chateau La
Summary
Founded in 1999 and now Chinese-owned, Château La Fleur Morange is a boutique 4.2-hectare Saint-Émilion estate producing Merlot-dominant wines from clay-limestone soils, notably featuring century-old vines dating to 1912. The estate's meticulous approach of late harvesting, parcel-by-parcel vinification, and extended barrel aging propelled it from startup to Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé status in just twelve years.
Heritage & Leadership
Château La Fleur Morange was established in 1999 by Jean-François Julien, a former professional motorcycle racer, and his wife Véronique in the commune of Saint-Pey-d'Armens, just east of the medieval town of Saint-Émilion. The Juliens began with a modest 1.5-hectare plot of land containing exceptionally old Merlot vines, some dating back to 1912. Their inaugural vintage was released in 2000, quickly gaining attention in Bordeaux wine circles for its quality and concentration. In 2012, the château achieved a significant milestone when it was elevated to Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé status in the region's classification system, a remarkable achievement for such a young estate. In 2015, the property changed hands when it was acquired by a Chinese investor, joining several other Bordeaux properties with Asian ownership. Throughout these transitions, the estate has maintained its commitment to producing wines that express the distinctive character of its old-vine parcels.
Vineyards & Wines
Château La Fleur Morange's vineyards are situated on the limestone plateau and slopes of Saint-Pey-d'Armens within the Saint-Émilion appellation. The estate encompasses approximately 4.2 hectares of vineyards, including the original 1.5-hectare parcel of century-old vines. The vineyard composition is predominantly Merlot (approximately 70%) complemented by Cabernet Franc (30%), planted on clay-limestone soils typical of Saint-Émilion's eastern sector. The estate's flagship wine, Château La Fleur Morange, is produced from the oldest vines, while a second wine, Mathilde, was introduced in 2001. The vineyards benefit from excellent drainage due to their limestone underpinning and favorable sun exposure on the gentle slopes. With vine density at approximately 6,000 plants per hectare and an average vine age exceeding 60 years (including the centenarian parcel), yields are naturally restricted to around 25 hectoliters per hectare, contributing to the wine's concentration and depth.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Château La Fleur Morange balances traditional Bordeaux methods with precise modern techniques. Harvesting is conducted manually with careful sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with each vineyard parcel vinified separately to preserve its distinct characteristics. Malolactic fermentation occurs in oak barrels, followed by aging in French oak for 18-24 months, with approximately 80% new oak for the grand vin. The estate practices late harvesting to ensure optimal ripeness, particularly important for their old-vine Merlot. In the vineyard, management includes green harvesting to control yields and leaf thinning to improve sun exposure and air circulation. The combination of centenarian vines, meticulous vineyard work, and careful cellar practices results in wines characterized by concentration, structure, and aging potential while maintaining the distinctive limestone minerality of their Saint-Émilion terroir.