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 he was 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 since kept the family wine tradition alive.

The terroir

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

An estate that has been organically farmed for 20 years

In 2001, the team adopted organic farming practices, and then from 2004, they developed biodynamic 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 plant extracts as well as a very moderate use of Bordeaux mixture.
All the practices implemented aim to respect the cycle of the seasons and to take care of the terroirs. The soil is cared for with organic manure, green manure and moderate work to give it back its appearance and its natural humus characteristics of undergrowth.

The wines

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

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

The Periwinkle Cuvée is made from a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This mouthwatering red wine has a silky mouthfeel and offers an aromatic floral and fruity bouquet of stewed raspberries. It is best enjoyed with candied vegetables, a cheese platter or chocolate mousse.

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