2015 Chateau la Fleur de Bouard Lalande-de-Pomerol Bordeaux 750 ml

Château La Fleur de Boüard makes arguably one of the best values in all of Bordeaux—a region known not just for its $1,000+ icons, but also for its hidden gems. And in this value-seeker’s paradise, few bottles come close to La Fleur de Boüard, a velvety smooth classic from the team behind the iconic $400 Château Angélus. 

One of the definitive wines from Lalande-de-Pomerol, the 2015 La Fleur de Boüard is a steal backed not just by our Wine Team (who called it “stunning”), but by ALL of the world’s major wine critics AND Wine Access members, who rated the 2016 at over 4.3 out of 5 stars. 

The secret to this bottle is in the soil: Lalande-de-Pomerol is one of the truly hidden gems of Bordeaux, for a reason that dates back more than a century. Pomerol, the world-famous village that spawns wines like Petrus and Le Pin, was controlled by the British in the 19th century, whereas Lalande was historically in French hands. For that reason, the great English négociants focused all of their energies on Pomerol, leading to wines with price tags that now usually eclipse $100.

Meanwhile, Lalande-de-Pomerol wines are every bit as worthy of attention, but have remained relatively overlooked. This is great for savvy Bordeaux lovers, because Lalande’s position just outside the spotlight means the prices for their wines, which are laden with unforgettable character and nuance, are significantly lower than those of Pomerol.

As if that wasn’t enough, the de Boüard family has made significant investments in making theirs a true Grand Vin. The winery would be at home among the Médoc’s First Growths, with stunning truncated-cone fermenters that appear to float in the air, suspended between floors to allow the wine to be moved entirely by gravity—perfect for ensuring gentle extraction and velvety tannins.

Adorned with triple 93-point scores, the 2015 is the rare value Bordeaux that comes with heaps of critical praise. Jeb Dunnuck called the ‘15 “an awesome wine to seek out,” with “beautiful beautiful purity of fruit... as well as a texture that just glides over the palate.” James Suckling was blown away by the way the wine marries “strength with balance,” while Decanter called it “a leading name in Lalande-de-Pomerol, doing an excellent job in 2015.”

Vibrant purple, it’s got vibrant aromas of blueberries, ripe plums, and summer fields, which demand a sip. On the palate, it’s got all the hallmarks of a de Boüard wine, with rich fruit, a powerful personality, and velvety tannins. A blend of 85% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon from low-yielding vineyards, it gets the same luxury treatment as high-dollar classed-growth bottlings—but you’d never know it from the final price.