Clos Puy Arnaud, Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux Red 2015

"Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Clos Puy Arnaud is very fresh on the nose with vibrant crushed red and black currants, cherries and tilled soil with a waft of bay leaves. The medium-bodied palate is delicate and refreshing with fine-grained tannins, nice energy and a lively finish. Drink 2018-2029"

89 The Wine Advocate.

Grape varieties: 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon on a clay-limestone plateau.

The vineyard is managed as both organic (AB label) and biodynamic (Demeter, Biodyvin labels). Harvest by hand, transfer of whole grapes by gravity into wood and cement vats. Cold, pre fermentation maceration is achieved under inert gas. Then, natural fermentation at low temperature.

Ageing of 1/3 in barrels (15% in new wood), 1/3 in Demimuids and 1/3 in amphoras for 6 months, then blending in uncoated cement vats for 3 months. No fining. Production around 25,000 bottles.

Our French sommelier picks:

“Clos Puy Arnaud is owned by Thierry Valette, whose family used to own Château Pavie. This is his personal biodynamic project just across the hill in Castillon. Castillon is basically the continuation of Saint-Émilion’s limestone plateau. You get that same elegant Merlot style, but often at half the price of the famous neighbours. Think ripe black cherry, graphite, and silky tannins. The 2015 is a beautiful vintage, rich but still very fresh and elegant. Very pure fruit, minimal intervention, and it ages surprisingly well. It’s a fantastic red wine to pair with steak because it has enough structure for the meat but the tannins are very polished. Cheers!”