La Fleur Petrus

The personality of Château La Fleur-Pétrus lies in the careful association of the famous gravel and clay terroirs of the plateau of Pomerol. The vineyard, located at 33 to 38 meters above sea level, draws its identity from the nuances of soil and elevation of each parcel. Those parcels which are dominated by gravel tend to yield wines of great elegance, while those dominated by clay are distinctly velvety, dense, and structured.

Château La Fleur-Pétrus is composed predominantly of Merlot, which lends silkiness and generosity to the wine. Cabernet Franc, planted on gravel and fine clay, contributes rigor and complexity, while a small percentage of Petit Verdot, planted on fine gravel, offers a hint of spice to the finish.

Winemaker notes

The wine combines a unique elegance with the generosity and structure typical of the great vineyards of Pomerol. An attentive tasting reveals remarkable refinement, complexity, and a touch of violet.

2017

Wine Advocate 94+: A blend of 93% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2017 la Fleur-Petrus is a little youthfully reticent to begin, opening to offer glimpses at kirsch, black raspberries and warm plums plus nuances of potpourri, powdered cinnamon, dusty soil and dried lavender. Medium-bodied, the palate is finely knit and elegant with a firm frame of grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.

James Suckling 96: There’s a slightly smoky edge to the nose with a wealth of ripe dark and red plums, as well as violets, blueberries and wet earth. The palate is very plush and smoothly arranged with a very attractive weave of ripe, supple tannin and a long, fresh and fleshy hold on the finish. The tannins are discreet but deceptively long here. It builds. Try from 2023.

Decanter 95: A powerful, muscular wine fully representing the slightly more masculine style that the Christian Moueix stable has exhibited over the past few years. This is an estate that has been fascinating to watch develop, as it sets to establish its own identity in the post-Petrus era on this side of the family. Ambitious and well-constructed, it has clear ageing potential. There was no frost here, so they were able to benefit from an early-budding year. That kick of Petit Verdot gives a clear shot of dark, exotic spices through the finish - Christian Moueix was responsible for its addition a few years ago. An excellent La Fleur Pétrus, one of the wines of the vintage in Pomerol.

2019

Wine Advocate 96: The 2019 La Fleur-Pétrus dares to outshine Trotanoy this year, wafting from the glass with aromas of rich berry fruit, plum preserve, dark chocolate, cigar box and spices. Full-bodied, rich and enveloping, it's broad and layered, with beautifully polished tannins, a ripe core of fruit and a seamless, enveloping profile. This is an elegantly muscular, generous Pomerol whose sumptuous personality reflects the warm, dry vintage.

James Suckling 98: So much dried-flower, black-olive, earth and spice character, together with dried fruit, violets and black licorice. Full, yet so fine and linear. It accelerates at the finish, going on and on. A classic beauty. So racy. Best after 2028.

Vinous 98: The 2019 La Fleur-Pétrus is pure and total seduction. Trotanoy and perhaps also Hosanna have traditionally been viewed as more exclusive Pomerols in the Moueix portfolio. The more time passes, the less I share that view. Sure, La Fleur-Pétrus does not have the mystique associated from a small single vineyard - as many Pomerols do - and yet there is no denying the elegance and class here. Bright red fleshed fruit, blood orange and exotic spice race across the palate, framed by silky, plush tannins that wrap it all together. La Fleur-Pétrus is fabulous. That's all there is to it.

Decanter 97: Gorgeous aromatics with some savoury elements; truffle, tobacco, mocha and ripe black bramble fruits. Excellent precision and tension in the mouth, this is refined but layered with chocolate, coffee, liquorice, stone, some bitter orange notes alongside blackcurrant and black cherry. Incredible texture, mouth coating for sure but so sophisticated, it's layered yet so well defined, pulsing with energy on the palate in waves of fruit then cooling mint then spice then more fruit which lingers in the mouth. Elegant but also so complex, you can sit with this for a while savouring each element. Such a fantastic wine.

Wine Enthusiast 94: The structure of the wine masks the superrichness of the black fruits. Tannins are definitely to the fore giving density and ripeness. This is a big wine, needing to age.

2020

Wine Advocate 96: Unwinding in the glass with aromas of minty blackberries, loamy soil, black truffles and petroleum jelly, the 2020 La Fleur-Pétrus is full-bodied, ample and enveloping, with a rich, layered core of fruit framed by supple, polished tannins, concluding with a broad, licorice-inflected finish. As in 2019, it outshines Trotanoy as the star of the Mouiex Pomerol portfolio.

James Suckling 100: One of the most powerful and significant La Fleur-Petrus I have ever tasted with incredible depth and power. It’s full and so layered with fine and intense tannins. It shows very dark fruits, dark chocolate with hazelnuts, and milk chocolate with almonds. This will age for eternity.

Vinous 95: The 2020 La Fleur-Pétrus is a gorgeous, polished wine. Super-ripe red cherry, plum, blood orange and pomegranate lend tons of immediacy and primary fruit character. Suave on the palate, with exquisite length, La Fleur-Pétrus is a wine of total sensuality. In 2020, ripeness is pushed to the edge, while the new oak is a bit present. Bright acids and sweet floral notes linger on the long, beautifully delineated finish. This is a bit more extroverted than I remember en primeur, but superb just the same.

Decanter 97: Sumptuous and stylish, this, like many of the best in 2020, is quietly confident showing just enough structure and seriousness while still being joyous and sensual. Blueberries, pomegranates and raspberries comprise the clear and crystalline fruit with cooling minty freshness alongside touches of dark chocolate and licks of medicinal and exotic spices. Tannins are supple and just chewy, giving the perfect weight to the palate with a wet stone aspect to the long finish. Totally moreish, I adore this wine.

Wine Enthusiast 96: The cool clay of this vineyard shows well in the freshness of this impressive wine. It gives the structure that will allow it to age. With richness assured through the tannins, the wine has great promise.

2023

Wine Advocate 94-96: The 2023 La Fleur-Pétrus is very attractive, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, sweet cherries and plums mingled with hints of incense and spices, discreetly framed by new oak. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, it's deep and textural, its rich core of fruit framed by plenty of sweet, powdery tannin.

James Suckling 97-98: Very tight for this chateau, with blackberry, chocolate and black-cherry character, as well as a hint of smoky oak. Full and very poised with focus and beauty. 96.5% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 0.5% cabernet sauvignon.