Chateau La Fleur de Bouard

What do you do when your family owns one of the largest and most successful estates in Bordeaux? You begin a venture of your own, of course.  

This is precisely what Hubert de Bouard did in 1998 when he stumbled upon a prime plot of land in Lalande de Pomerol. 25 hectares of fine gravel and clay subsoils made the perfect terroir for growing merlot, cabernet franc, and cabernet sauvignon. And, with years of elite winemaking experience under his belt, there was never a doubt in Bouard’s mind that he could transform this land into a top Bordeaux producer.

Chateau La Fleur de Bouard: Continuing a Bordeaux Legacy

After growing up in the famed Bouard family, owners of the prestigious Chateau Angelus, Hubert de Bouard was always destined for French winemaking greatness. He studied under the Father of Modern Oenology, Emile Peynaud, as well as one of his partners, Jean Ribereau-Gayon. Together, the pair discovered malolactic fermentation, a process that is now standard in winemaking across the globe.

Under the mentorship of two winemaking legends, Bouard gained all the secrets behind creating beautiful final cuvees and knew it was his time to shine in 1998. After visiting the less-known Lalande de Pomerol, Bouard discovered a 25-hectare vineyard on a sloping hillside facing some of the finest Pomerol estates. Thanks to the nearby Dordogne and Isle rivers, the land had remained a hidden gem, escaping over-planting from previous owners. A sunny, warm, and humid climate complements the aged merlot vines, creating early flowering and vibrant and fleshy fruit.

Ingenious Winemaking at La Fleur de Bouard

When Hubert Bouard founded La Fleur de Bouard, he brought ingenious winemaking techniques from his time under Peynaud and Ribereau-Gayon. One of the most unique inventions Bouard brought to his estate was the use of inverted, stainless-steel vats that hang from the ceiling. Working with famed architect Arnaud Boulain, the pair created a one-of-a-kind cellar with this technique, allowing the fruit and juice to avoid being pumped over. Rather, when the fruit is hand-picked and sorted by the team, it is immediately transferred to one of the 28 vats, beginning the process for one of Bordeaux’s greatest merlots. The grapes are then vinified vat by vat, undergo a cold maceration, then are finally aged in French new oak for 18-24 months. Additionally, the cellar is always kept to a temperature of 14 degrees Celsius while a nitrogen generator is kept in the space for de-oxygenation, limiting the dose of sulfur dioxide in the wine.

Overall, the reconstruction of the cellar took almost 12 years to complete. Its pristine glass windows and hardy wood interiors fit seamlessly into the estate’s landscape and have captured the hearts of numerous visitors who regularly tour the grounds.

Le Fleur de Bouard’s Lalande de Pomerol Terroir

Located directly adjacent to some of the world’s finest estates on the Right Bank, Chateau Le Fleur de Bouard benefits from an exceptional terroir, complete with gravel and sandy subsoils and a mild climate. Merlot benefits the most in this region, as densely planted vines allow the flower to bloom early. Ultimately, around 6,500 vines are planted per hectare for older vines while 8,500 vines per hectare are planted for the youngest. On the vineyard, vines can reach as old as 50 years and as young as 10 years.  

To respect the terroir, Bouard winemakers only use environmentally friendly practices, including the use of red fescue and green fertilizers like forage, radish, and common vetch. Furthermore, small animals roam the land, and phytophages and necrophages are used to maintain soil health.

Fleur de Bouard’s ‘Le Lab’

As a student of winemaking legends, it was only natural that Bouard wanted to pass his teachings to the new generation. The estate holds a monthly forum called ‘Le Lab’ where Bouard and technical director, Bryant Dessaint, teach young winemakers innovative and beneficial ideas for wine quality. Over 200 people have been trained in this program, including some members of the “extended family” at Chateau Angelus.

In addition to holding Le Lab, Fleur de Bouard also encourages visitors to stay at its boutique hotel, dine in the on-site restaurant, and experience tasting workshops and the immersive cellar tour. All in all, Hubert de Bouard understands the importance of customer connection, especially as a small estate in France’s largest winemaking region.

Le Plus de la Fleur de Bouard

The Bouard estate produces 9 different wines in total, though the most prestigious is Le Plus de la Fleur de Bouard. First released in 2000, the bottle gained immediate critical acclaim, with Robert Parker scoring the wine 99 points, stating it was “"a tremendous achievement... with richness and intensity, with elegance, harmony, and poise." Other standout vintages from the label include the 2009 bottle, rated 96 points by Parker, and the 2005 bottle, which received the same rating.

When reviewing the estate as a whole, Parker had glowing reviews, writing:

"Unquestionably a star of Lalande de Pomerol is the 50-acre estate of Hubert and Corinne de Bouard, who produce wines that fly well above their pedigree. Tasting through older vintages proves that these are the “real deal,” as they age quite well. One can even argue that the luxury cuvee, La Plus de la Fleur de Bouard, is one of the top twenty wines being produced in Bordeaux - a remarkable achievement given the appellation’s lack of status."

Take this time to add one of Bordeaux’s most underrated bottles to your cellar. With an incredible price point for high-value wine, you won’t want to miss out on this producer.