Puy Arnaud’s 19th century reputation was stellar, so much so that the wines produced in Castillon would regularly reach prices equivalent to more famous wineries in St Emilion nearby. Owner Thierry Valette was previously a shareholder of Chateau Pavie, before taking over Clos Puy Arnaud in 2000. This venerable property has vines planted on a rich limestone plateau, very similar to St Emilion, and they are on average 30 years old with the younger vines planted to a higher density to encourage root competition. Viticulture is organic and biodynamic, still a relative rarity in Bordeaux, and maturation for the top wines occurs in a mixture of barriques (10-15% new), and amphorae for the press wine fractions. These are bright, fresh wines, with the hallmarks of some of the right-bank’s best terroir and age very well.

The winery showcases its wine making skills using the philosophy of “nothing added, nothing taken away,” which minimizes unnecessary intervention in the process, and makes use of the incredible variety of the many vineyard “terroirs.”