Wine Advisor
La Fleur de Bouard 2010
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This estate remains the reference point for the highest quality attainable in Lalande de Pomerol, but readers should keep a look out for new proprietor Silvio Denz’s Chateau de Chambrun which appears capable of challenging Bouard’s wines. This large estate of 50 acres situated on clay, sand and gravelly soils has produced a 2010 offering beautiful licorice, black cherry, plum and Asian spice notes in an elegant, medium-bodied style. A blend of 80% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and a dollop of Cabernet Sauvignon, it can be enjoyed during its first 7-8 years of life.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Layers of ripe blackberry, boysenberry and dark plum on the nose laced with creamy new oak with moderate definition. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, nice freshness here but quite simple towards the finish. Drink 2013-2020. Tasted March 2011.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2010 La Fleur du Bouard (80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) is bottled unfined and unfiltered and hit 14.5% natural alcohol. The wine offers up notes of black raspberry and blueberry pie intermixed with incense, lead pencil shavings and plenty of underlying floral notes. Some background oak is also present. The wine is medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, voluptuously textured, rich, long and hedonistic and satisfying. Drink it over the next 10+ years. The other cuvee, a limited production wine, can be absolutely magnificent with some bottle age, as the 2000 is certainly proving to be. The standard of excellence for Lalande de Pomerol is Hubert de Bouard’s 50-acre property, over half of it located on the highly prized Neac plateau, which consists of clay, sand and gravel sub-soils.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Pretty earthy. Dark berries and flowers on the nose follow through to a full body, with fine tannins and a bright and fresh finish. Lots of citrus fruit on the finish with dark fruits. Try in 2017.
About the Producer
Chateau La Fleur de Bouard is located in the heart of France on the right bank of the Garonne River, close to the two famous appellations of St. Emilion and Pomeral, and in a unique geographical location. The vineyards of the winery are located in the Lalande de Pomerol appellation and cover an area of 25 hectares. Of these, 17 hectares are located on the Neac plateau, with soils composed of top clay and deep gravel. The remaining 8 hectares of the vineyard are made up of larger pebble grains and a few clays. The vineyards are planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a density of 8,547 vines per hectare. The grapes of Château Baudelaire are macerated at a low temperature of 4 to 8°C before being fermented in alcoholic fermentation in wooden winemaking vats or oak barrels. Depending on the grape variety and the year of harvest, the wine is stored in new and old oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and maturation for 12 to 33 months. Château La Fleur Saint Georges offers three series of wines: Le Plus de la Fleur de Bouard, La Fleur de Bouard and Chateau La Fleur Saint Georges. Among them, the 2009 vintage of Bouard has a deep color, aromas of red and black fruits, slightly vanilla and coffee, a rounded palate with silky tannins, a complex structure and a long finish, making it the best Bouard to date.
