Clos Puy Arnaud

The producer

The Valette family owns several vineyards in Languedoc and Bordeaux: Château de Pavie and Château Troplong Mondot. Thierry Valette is the owner of Clos Puy Arnaud, which he bought in 2000. Although born into a family of winegrowers, he was not destined for the profession. After an artistic career in dance and jazz, he took over the family estate and has been carrying on the family wine tradition ever since.

The terroir

Clos Puy Arnaud is located on a plateau next to Saint Emilion. At an altitude of almost 100 meters, it is made up of limestone soil with a thin layer of sandy clay-loam soil.
The grape varieties are rather atypical, with almost two-thirds Merlot, just over 25% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec and Castets. The vines are on average 30 years old, with some reaching 50 years.

An estate that has been cultivated using organic viticulture methods for 20 years

In 2001, the team adopted agriculture biologique practices, then from 2004 developed biodynamie practices, which were certified in 2009 with the AB label, then Biodyvin in 2010 and Demeter in 2014. No pesticides or synthetic insecticides have been used for 20 years. The vineyard is protected with herbal teas and extracts, and very moderate use of Bordeaux mixture.
All our practices are designed to respect the cycle of the seasons and take care of the terroir. The soil is cared for with organic fertilizers, green manures and moderate tillage to restore its appearance and natural humus characteristics of the undergrowth.

The wines

Le Clos Puy Arnaud is the estate's first cuvée, a Grand Vin de Bordeaux with good cellaring potential, revealing its full potential between 10 and 15 years. It has received multiple awards and mentions in the most prestigious guides.

The cuvée Le Rouge selection Puy Arnaud 2019 is a French wine made from 100% Merlot. It's a singular, fruity, fresh and intense wine with a beautiful purple color and ruby highlights. Its aromas of black and red berries are perfect for everyday cooking.

La cuvée Pervenche is made from a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This luscious red wine has a silky mouthfeel and a floral, fruity bouquet of stewed raspberries. Enjoy it with candied vegetables, a cheese platter or chocolate mousse.

La cuvée Bistrot is ideal as an aperitif. This fine, fresh wine with juicy black fruit aromas is simple and balanced.

Les Ormeaux is the estate's most recent cuvée. Created in 2014, it is made from a blend of 75% Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The nose offers a lovely aromatic bouquet with greedy red fruit aromas and spicy notes. It's a fresh, gourmet wine that will develop its full complexity with a few years of cellaring.