1 impériale per lot
Details
CHATEAU LAFLEUR, THE FLOWER OF POMEROL
THE ULTIMATE INSIDER'S WINE
A curious question arises when one begins to contemplate a potential counterpoint to the legendary wine of Pomerol, Château Pétrus: Who could possibly be its rival? To acquire such an authoritive answer one need look no further than Christian Moueix who, in his great knowledge of the commune and its wines, would confidently offer you the name of Château Lafleur.
A curious answer indeed as some may have suggested Vieux Château Certan in its place. However, as the ultimate insider's wine a requisite for such status is a cloak of mystery and lack of publicity. One such reason is the limited production at Lafleur, a meager 12,000 bottles of the grand vin (by comparison the great estates of the Médoc each produce upwards of 300,000 bottles in a given harvest). Another such reason must be its disassociation with the Place de Bordeaux, a major wine trading hub, and its en primeur campaign. Lafleur by contrast is sold exclusively by specialized importers.
The vineyard of Lafleur is in one piece, though divided by the crossing of two roads. By one measure it is but 600 feet to the north of Pétrus and shares a vineyard row with that of Lafleur-Pétrus in one direction and La Fleur-Gazin in another. The soils are gravelly but with more clay than surrounding vineyards. This clay is the key to strength and longevity of the wine, just as it is at Pétrus. The vineyard is barely 10 acres in size and is planted equally to portions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Only Vieux Château Certain comes close with its dedication to Cabernet Franc (again by comparison, Pétrus has 5 Cabernet Franc which rarely sees the final blend). The vines are on average over 30+ years of age and conform to a high density planting program of 5,900 vines per hectare.
Vinification at the property is artisanal and since 1985 has been performed by current owner Jacques Guinaudeau, cousin to the former owner Marie Robin. Under Jacques' guidance the berries are now destemmed and fermented in concrete vats with extended skin-maceration for a period of time. Since 1991 malolactic fermentation has taken place in barrel to help with better integration of the fruit and tannins. The wine next spends approximately 18 months in oak, 50 of which are renewed each year, and are racked along a classic program of once every three months.
Property of a Gentleman
The following lots were recently removed by Christie's from a temperature and humidity controlled, private, below ground level, home cellar.
Château Lafleur--Vintage 1990
Pomerol
In original wooden case
"The 1990 Lafleur is equally powerful, muscular, and super-concentrated [as the 1989], but the tannin is riper as well as better integrated, resulting in a phenomenally extracted wine revealing the 1990 vintage's over-ripeness. There are copious amounts of sweet black cherry fruit. My assistant, Pierre Rovani, remarked, "Why does this wine taste so much like Rayas?" there is an unreal reality to such a comment, largely because both producers tend to pick their fruit at an over-ripe stage, producing and exotic, compelling wine. Despite its size, the 1990 Lafleur is more developed than the 1989, but it will easily be as long-lived given its massive weight, viscous texture, and profound mouth-feel and finish." Robert Parker Jr., Bordeaux Book 3rd. ed.
1 impériale per lot
THE ULTIMATE INSIDER'S WINE
A curious question arises when one begins to contemplate a potential counterpoint to the legendary wine of Pomerol, Château Pétrus: Who could possibly be its rival? To acquire such an authoritive answer one need look no further than Christian Moueix who, in his great knowledge of the commune and its wines, would confidently offer you the name of Château Lafleur.
A curious answer indeed as some may have suggested Vieux Château Certan in its place. However, as the ultimate insider's wine a requisite for such status is a cloak of mystery and lack of publicity. One such reason is the limited production at Lafleur, a meager 12,000 bottles of the grand vin (by comparison the great estates of the Médoc each produce upwards of 300,000 bottles in a given harvest). Another such reason must be its disassociation with the Place de Bordeaux, a major wine trading hub, and its en primeur campaign. Lafleur by contrast is sold exclusively by specialized importers.
The vineyard of Lafleur is in one piece, though divided by the crossing of two roads. By one measure it is but 600 feet to the north of Pétrus and shares a vineyard row with that of Lafleur-Pétrus in one direction and La Fleur-Gazin in another. The soils are gravelly but with more clay than surrounding vineyards. This clay is the key to strength and longevity of the wine, just as it is at Pétrus. The vineyard is barely 10 acres in size and is planted equally to portions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Only Vieux Château Certain comes close with its dedication to Cabernet Franc (again by comparison, Pétrus has 5 Cabernet Franc which rarely sees the final blend). The vines are on average over 30+ years of age and conform to a high density planting program of 5,900 vines per hectare.
Vinification at the property is artisanal and since 1985 has been performed by current owner Jacques Guinaudeau, cousin to the former owner Marie Robin. Under Jacques' guidance the berries are now destemmed and fermented in concrete vats with extended skin-maceration for a period of time. Since 1991 malolactic fermentation has taken place in barrel to help with better integration of the fruit and tannins. The wine next spends approximately 18 months in oak, 50 of which are renewed each year, and are racked along a classic program of once every three months.
Property of a Gentleman
The following lots were recently removed by Christie's from a temperature and humidity controlled, private, below ground level, home cellar.
Château Lafleur--Vintage 1990
Pomerol
In original wooden case
"The 1990 Lafleur is equally powerful, muscular, and super-concentrated [as the 1989], but the tannin is riper as well as better integrated, resulting in a phenomenally extracted wine revealing the 1990 vintage's over-ripeness. There are copious amounts of sweet black cherry fruit. My assistant, Pierre Rovani, remarked, "Why does this wine taste so much like Rayas?" there is an unreal reality to such a comment, largely because both producers tend to pick their fruit at an over-ripe stage, producing and exotic, compelling wine. Despite its size, the 1990 Lafleur is more developed than the 1989, but it will easily be as long-lived given its massive weight, viscous texture, and profound mouth-feel and finish." Robert Parker Jr., Bordeaux Book 3rd. ed.
1 impériale per lot
Provenance
Acquired by the current owner upon initial commercial release