Château La Fleur-Pétrus is a Pomerol estate that has been owned by Jean Pierre Moueix (who also owns Pétrus and Trotanoy) since 1952.

Situated between Châteaux Lafleur and Petrus, Château La Fleur-Pétrus took its name in the 18th century. Jean-Pierre Moueix, who established his wine merchant business in Libourne in 1937, purchased La Fleur-Pétrus in 1950. This historic estate on the plateau of Pomerol was his first vineyard acquisition.

A few years after it was purchased, Bordeaux was hit by its worst frosts in living memory and most of the vineyards at Lafleur-Pétrus were destroyed and had to be replanted. La Fleur-Pétrus’s 9.08 hectare vineyard is on a plateau east of Pomerol sandwiched between Lafleur and Pétrus.

Soils – rich in gravel and deep clay on iron-rich subsoil. The vineyard is made up of three parcels on the plateau of Pomerol with altitudes averaging 33 to 38 meters above sea level. The pebbly soils from the northern parcel yield a wine of great elegance with notes of black cherries. The center plot, known for its summer heat (the area is called “Tropchaud”), produces a wine of tremendous suppleness with a hint of plum. Wine from the southern parcel is particularly velvety, dense, structured, with a pronounced nose of blackcurrant.

Average age of the vines – 35 years

Blend – Merlot 90%, Cabernet Franc 10%

Winemaking – La Fleur-Pétrus’s grapes are hand-harvested and then fermented in temperature-controlled concrete vats.

Ageing – The wine is then aged in small oak barriques (50% new) for 18 months.

Blended, these three singular terroirs with nuanced and complementary characteristics produce a generous, expressive wine with apparent structure and a dominance of black fruit. An attentive tasting reveals remarkable refinement, complexity, and a touch of violet.

Lafleur-Pétrus produce elegant, smooth and refined Pomerols that, whilst lacking the concentration and intensity found in Pétrus, are still amongst the finest wines of the region.

Tim Atkin – 97 points

Even on a wet early morning in Libourne, this wine was singing. It benefited from the addition of several newly acquired old vine parcels close to Le Pin in 2012, bringing an extra level of concentration. The result is the best wine in the Moueix portfolio in 2012, a step up Trotanoy, showing soft, almost granular tannins, silky texture, fresh acidity and beautifully integrated oak. Leafy and complex, this is a fine, nuanced Pomerol that seduces rather than coerces, with near perfect balance and a finish that lingers on the palate. Drink: 2020-40

Robert Parker Wine Advocate – 95 points

Christian Moueix and his winemaking team have done a remarkable job over the last decade to bring La Fleur-Petrus into the league of Pomerol’s titans. Now a worthy rival to Trotanoy, Petrus, La Fleur, Le Gay, La Violette and Vieux Chateau Certan, the dense ruby/purple 2012 La Fleur-Petrus has beautiful silky tannins, and stunning rich black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning purity, symmetry and overall character and complexity. This beauty should drink well for another 15-20 years. The final blend is classic – 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Drink: 2015 – 2035

James Suckling – 94 points

Very perfumed with stones, dark berries, mushrooms and hints of wet earth and nutmeg shell. Full body, chewy tannins and fantastic fruit and purity. Needs time to come together but a fabulous wine for the vintage

Vinous – 96 points

Exotic and explosive in the glass, the 2012 La Fleur-Pétrus is another standout in the Moueix portfolio. Graphite, smoke, incense and plum are some of the notes that open up in this exquisite bouquet. The 2012 possesses remarkable depth and intensity for the year. Gravel, smoke, sage, wild flowers, game and tobacco add the final shades of nuance on a powerful, virile finish endowed with remarkable salinity and freshness from the Cabernet Franc. Drink 2018-2037.