Clos Puy Arnaud

Identity

Clos Puy Arnaud is a winegrowing estate located in Belvès-de-Castillon, led by Thierry Valette. Nicolas Legrand serves as cellar master.

History and philosophy

The history of Cru de Puy Arnaud, situated on the rocks of Puy Carpin, has been documented since 1874, when it was cited as a "1er cru" in the Féret Guides. In 1898, the same guides described it as producing "one of the most sought-after wines in the region", thanks to fine grape varieties and meticulous cultivation.

The property was acquired by Alexandre Valette in 1937. In 1999, Thierry Valette bought Clos Puy Arnaud, marking the beginning of a new era for the estate. In 2000, the estate began its conversion to organic viticulture, receiving certification in 2001. Biodynamic trials started in 2005, leading to Demeter and Biodyvin certifications in 2014.

Appellations

Clos Puy Arnaud produces wines under the Castillon-Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation. The vineyard is located on a limestone plateau east of Saint-Émilion.

Practical information

Clos Puy Arnaud is located at 985, route des Vignes, 33350 Belvès-de-Castillon. For further information or to arrange a visit, the estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 (0)5 57 47 90 33 or by email at contact.cpa@orange.fr. Visits and tastings at the estate are available by appointment from Monday to Friday. The estate also offers direct sales on-site and mail order.

Find out more

Official estate website

The vineyard (terroir)

The Clos Puy Arnaud vineyard covers an area of 15 hectares across 32 parcels. It is set on a limestone plateau, with altitudes ranging between 75 and 100 metres. The topsoils are clay-silt-sand, resting on deep layers of asteriated limestone mixed with veins of Castillon limestone. The average age of the vines is around 30 years. Massal selections are carried out for Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon blanc, and Malbec.

The vineyard's grape variety breakdown consists of 65% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1.5% Sauvignon blanc, and 1.5% Castets. Planting densities vary: 2m x 1m for older vines, and between 1.5m x 1m and 1.80m x 0.95m for younger vines.

Flagship cuvées

The estate offers several cuvées, crafted in line with its viticultural practices. Le Grand Vin du Clos Puy Arnaud is one of the principal cuvées. The estate also produces the Vibrato cuvée, the Pervenche cuvée, and the Bistrot cuvée. For white wines, Clos Puy Arnaud crafts the Silt cuvée and the Les Ormeaux cuvée.

Vinification and ageing

Harvesting is carried out by hand. Vats are filled by gravity without pumping. The estate practices cold pre-fermentation maceration under inert gas in vats (50% wood, 50% concrete). Fermentations are conducted with indigenous yeasts. Post-fermentation maceration takes place at a maximum temperature of 25°C.

Ageing of the Grand Vin can take place in wood, concrete vats, and amphorae. For the Clos Puy Arnaud cuvée, part of the ageing is carried out in vats and barrels, with 25% new oak barrels and 75% barrels of one or two previous wines.