Clos Puy Arnaud Cotes de Castillon Bordeaux, Complete Guide

clos puy arnaud

Learn everything about Clos Puy Arnaud Cotes de Castillon with wine tasting notes, wine, and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards, and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Clos Puy Arnaud History, Overview

Clos Puy Arnaud has a history that dates back to at least 1871 in the Cotes de Castillon region. However, the modern era for the estate begins in the year 2000 when Thierry Valette purchased the estate. If the Valette name sounds familiar, it should.

Thierry Valette is related to the Valette family that also owns Chateau Troplong Mondot and previously, Chateau Pavie. In fact, Thierry Valette was one of the owners of Chateau Pavie before the estate was sold to Gerard Perse. He also owned Chateau La Prade, until 2000, before taking over Clos Puy Arnaud.

Clos Puy Arnaud Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 15.5 hectare Right Bank vineyard of Clos Puy Arnaud is planted to 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard is divided into 32 parcels. It is the goal of Clos Puy Arnaud to increase the amount of Cabernet Franc in the vineyards over time to 40%. They are also planning on adding small amounts of Petit Verdot, Malbec, and interestingly, Mancin and Castet as well.

Small amounts of those ancient Bordeaux grape varieties can already be found in the vineyard as well. Between 1% to 2% of the vines are planted to Castets and Mancin!

On average, the vines are close to 30 years of age. But they also have old vines that are more than 60 years of age. The vineyard has a terroir of limestone and clay soils.

However, because they are located on the top of the Castillon plateau and the limestone in their soil is unique. It is known as Asteries, which is the hardest type of limestone found in nature.

The Cotes de Bordeaux vineyard is managed exclusively by using 100% biodynamic farming techniques since 2008. They tried to become 100% biodynamic in 2004, but the difficult, wet, 2007 vintage set the property back. It took the next 3 vintages before they were certified by Biodyvin as organic. The estate is now also 100% biodynamic.

While Stephane Derenoncourt is no longer the consultant to the estate, it was Derenoncourt who sparked the idea to try new things, first by using first organic farming methods, and then biodynamic techniques to Thierry Valette.

To produce the wine of Clos Puy Arnaud, after the cold, pre-fermentation maceration is completed, the grapes are whole berry vinified in large, oak, wood tanks.

Malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of vats and French oak barrels. The wines are then aged in 30% new, French oak barrels with a portion of the wine being aged in 500-liter vats and amphora for 12 to 14 months before bottling.

The estate produces two main wines, Clos Puy Arnaud and Les Ormeaux. In addition, there is also a second wine, Clos Puy Arnaud Cuvee Pervenche. The estate also makes a third wine, which is primarily sold to restaurants, La Cuvee Bistrot de Puy Arnaud, which made its debut in 2009. On average, more than 5,000 cases of wine are produced at Clos Puy Arnaud in each vintage.

The best vintages of Clos Puy Arnaud are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

In addition, the estate produces small amounts of wine made from 100% Cabernet Franc, Les Acacias, as well as a wine without the use of sulphur, aged entirely in Amphora, Clos Puy Arnaud Anada.

When to Drink Clos Puy Arnaud, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Clos Puy Arnaud is better with at least 2-3 years of aging in good vintages. Young vintages can be decanted for up to 1 hour, helping the wine soften to help develop the aromatic character.

Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Clos Puy Arnaud offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 2-9 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Clos Puy Arnaud with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Clos Puy Arnaud is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Clos Puy Arnaud is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Clos Puy Arnaud is also good when matched with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms, and pasta.

http://clospuyarnaud.com

Clos Puy Arnaud Wine Tasting Notes

16 Vintages 51,660 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2023
90
Flowers, chalk, and vibrant red fruits with a salty edge come through easily. The palate is energetic, with a liberal dose of crushed stones, and black cherries, leaving you with ample fruit, and mint in the finish. The wine blends 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2027-2038. 89-91 Pts.

Flowers, chalk, and vibrant red fruits with a salty edge come through easily. The palate is energetic, with a liberal dose of crushed stones, and black cherries, leaving you with ample fruit, and mint in the finish. The wine blends 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2027-2038. 89-91 Pts.

888 Views   Tasted
2022
90
Plums and black cherries with flowers, and chocolate pack the nose and mouth, which is made even better by all of its mineral essences, giving you a touch of salt, with its layers of dark red fruits in the finish. The wine blends 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2025-2035. 89-91 Pts.

Plums and black cherries with flowers, and chocolate pack the nose and mouth, which is made even better by all of its mineral essences, giving you a touch of salt, with its layers of dark red fruits in the finish. The wine blends 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2025-2035. 89-91 Pts.

2,562 Views   Tasted
2021
88
Flowers, wet earth, thyme and black raspberries come through on the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, crisp and juicy, finishing with a savory, mouthful of bright, red berries. Drink from 2024-2033.

Flowers, wet earth, thyme and black raspberries come through on the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, crisp and juicy, finishing with a savory, mouthful of bright, red berries. Drink from 2024-2033.

721 Views   Tasted
Black raspberries, thyme and spice come through on the nose. Medium-bodied, bright, crisp and juicy, finishing with a dusty savory, herbal edge. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2023-2032. 89-87

Black raspberries, thyme and spice come through on the nose. Medium-bodied, bright, crisp and juicy, finishing with a dusty savory, herbal edge. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2023-2032. 89-87

1,706 Views   Tasted
2020
89
Fruity, forward, and fresh, with a core of soft plums, cherries and cocoa that is already accessible. You can drink this fresh, vibrant, plummy, racy wine on release. 88-90 Pts

Fruity, forward, and fresh, with a core of soft plums, cherries and cocoa that is already accessible. You can drink this fresh, vibrant, plummy, racy wine on release. 88-90 Pts

2,387 Views   Tasted
2019
90
A bit reserved, so it will take a few years in the cellar or decanting to bring out its character. When that happens you will find load of fresh, soft, mineral driven red fruits, herbs and licorice to accompany all the sweet red berries. More stoic than showy, give this a few years of aging before popping a cork. Drink from 2022-2033.

A bit reserved, so it will take a few years in the cellar or decanting to bring out its character. When that happens you will find load of fresh, soft, mineral driven red fruits, herbs and licorice to accompany all the sweet red berries. More stoic than showy, give this a few years of aging before popping a cork. Drink from 2022-2033.

2,500 Views   Tasted
Round, fruity and with a strong limestone essence, offering ample juicy plums with the essence of crushed rocks on the palate, and in the finish. 88-90 Pts

Round, fruity and with a strong limestone essence, offering ample juicy plums with the essence of crushed rocks on the palate, and in the finish. 88-90 Pts

3,092 Views   Tasted
2018
87
Medium-bodied, bright, crisp, fresh and floral, with a licorice and red cherry twist to top it off. 86-88 Pts

Medium-bodied, bright, crisp, fresh and floral, with a licorice and red cherry twist to top it off. 86-88 Pts

2,154 Views   Tasted
2017
86
Bright red fruits, licorice and spice lead things off. Medium bodied and vinified for early drinking, the finish is bright and crisp.

Bright red fruits, licorice and spice lead things off. Medium bodied and vinified for early drinking, the finish is bright and crisp.

2,590 Views   Tasted
2016
87
Medium-bodied, this is on the fresh, floral, red plum and cherry side of the style range and should be ready to drink on release.

Medium-bodied, this is on the fresh, floral, red plum and cherry side of the style range and should be ready to drink on release.

3,907 Views   Tasted
2015
86
Medium-bodied and on the fresh, bright, strawberry and cherry side of the style range, this wine will be ready to drink on release.

Medium-bodied and on the fresh, bright, strawberry and cherry side of the style range, this wine will be ready to drink on release.

4,536 Views   Tasted
2014
87
Light color, this bright, red cherry and licorice dominated, fresh, medium bodied wine will be best in its fresh youth. 86-88 Pts

Light color, this bright, red cherry and licorice dominated, fresh, medium bodied wine will be best in its fresh youth. 86-88 Pts

3,072 Views   Tasted
2012
87
Licorice and black cherry on the nose, with a forward, medium bodied, bright, sweet and tart, strawberry and cherry character.

Licorice and black cherry on the nose, with a forward, medium bodied, bright, sweet and tart, strawberry and cherry character.

2,308 Views   Tasted
2011
87
Forward, soft textured, easy to drink, medium bodied, earthy, plum, cherry and thyme focused wine for current consumption.

Forward, soft textured, easy to drink, medium bodied, earthy, plum, cherry and thyme focused wine for current consumption.

2,851 Views   Tasted
2010
89
Ripe spicy berries are led by fresh, black raspberries, jam, earth, licorice and a touch of espresso bean. Deep in color, young and fresh, this blend 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon should be better with a few years in the bottle.

Ripe spicy berries are led by fresh, black raspberries, jam, earth, licorice and a touch of espresso bean. Deep in color, young and fresh, this blend 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon should be better with a few years in the bottle.

4,824 Views   Tasted
2009
90
A nice Bordeaux value wine here, with its forward style, round, soft, polished textures and licorice, ripe black cherry and truffle personality. The wine was made from a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine reached 15% ABV, yet there is no sensation of heat.

A nice Bordeaux value wine here, with its forward style, round, soft, polished textures and licorice, ripe black cherry and truffle personality. The wine was made from a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine reached 15% ABV, yet there is no sensation of heat.

4,687 Views   Tasted
2008
89
Medium bodied, fully mature, with a floral, earthy, thyme and red plum nose, the wine has soft textures, coupled with a bite from the acidity, that gives this wine a lot of lift. There is no sense in aging this any longer.

Medium bodied, fully mature, with a floral, earthy, thyme and red plum nose, the wine has soft textures, coupled with a bite from the acidity, that gives this wine a lot of lift. There is no sense in aging this any longer.

2,743 Views   Tasted
2005
88
Medium bodied, fully mature, with good freshness to the fruit, the wine has a fine, sweet, plum, licorice and black cherry character, with the right amount of earthy, secondary notes. But its lack of density and fruit is also apparent. Popped and poured, the wine was made from a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Medium bodied, fully mature, with good freshness to the fruit, the wine has a fine, sweet, plum, licorice and black cherry character, with the right amount of earthy, secondary notes. But its lack of density and fruit is also apparent. Popped and poured, the wine was made from a blend of 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

4,132 Views   Tasted