Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2022 Clos Puy Arnaud is a real stunner, and one of the great under the radar gems on the Right Bank. The 2022 is an especially rich, heady wine. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, leather and gravel build in a heady, sumptuous wine that delivers the goods. Clos Puy Arnaud could easily challenge many more illustrious names on the Right Bank. –Antonio Galloni
Barrel Sample: 94-96 -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
the 2022 Clos Puy Arnaud, a blend of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, is less introverted and austere, offering up aromas of dark berries, spices, mulberries and flowers. Medium to full-bodied, generously extracted and concentrated, it's deep and lively and structured with velvety tannins, concluding with a long, delicately spicy and fresh finish. This estate is progressing toward producing more refined and vibrant wines, though this one will benefit from some time in the cellar to integrate its élevage fully.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Clos Puy Arnaud (70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) is rock-solid, offering upfront red and black berry-like fruits, some spicy oak and loamy, mineral nuances, medium body, and a pure, layered, elegant mouthfeel.
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James Suckling
On the nose, dark cherries, plums, warm spices and pebbles. It’s medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins. Textured and solid. A juicy, dense and scented blend of 70% merlot, 25% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Though the region is larger than many of its Right Bank neighbors, it is one that consistently produces high quality, well-valued red wines. In fact, Cotes de Castillon can almost be considered a geographical eastern extension of St. Emilion, producing similarly-fashioned reds based on Merlot.
Vineyards in the region’s clay, limestone and sandstone soils produce sturdy red wines. On alluvial terraces, in vineyards closer to the Dordogne River, wines tend to be more supple and fruity. In either case, a great Cotes de Castillon red will be bursting with raspberry, plum and blueberry, have an enticing bouquet of dried flowers and a finish that is plush and opulent.