Lafleur, Chateau
Summary
Château Lafleur is a 4.5-hectare Pomerol estate owned by the Guinaudeau family since 1872, producing two wines from their plateau vineyard with equal plantings of Merlot and Cabernet Franc on gravel and clay soils. The family maintains traditional parcel-by-parcel vinification in concrete vats, focusing exclusively on their original historic plot under the direction of Jacques, Sylvie, Baptiste, and Julie Guinaudeau.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Lafleur has been under continuous ownership of the Guinaudeau family since 1872, when Henri Greloud acquired the Pomerol estate. The property passed through successive generations to Jacques and Sylvie Guinaudeau, who manage operations today alongside their son Baptiste and daughter-in-law Julie. This small family domain maintains strict independence in its operations, choosing to focus entirely on their historic Pomerol vineyard rather than expanding to other properties.
Vineyards & Wines
Lafleur's vineyard comprises 4.5 hectares in a single continuous plot within Pomerol, positioned on the appellation's distinctive plateau. The vineyard maintains an even split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc, planted on a complex mixture of gravel and clay soils. This particular soil composition, combined with the vineyard's position, creates distinct growing conditions for each variety. The estate produces two wines: Château Lafleur and Les Pensées de Lafleur.
Philosophy & Practice
The Guinaudeau family employs a precise parcel-by-parcel approach to viticulture and vinification. Harvest is conducted entirely by hand, with each plot picked according to optimal ripeness. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats, with separate vinification for each parcel. The wine ages in French oak barrels, with the proportion of new oak adjusted according to the vintage characteristics. The estate maintains a focused production approach, prioritizing the expression of their specific terroir through careful farming and minimal intervention in the cellar.