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Clos Puy Arnaud

Clos Puy Arnaud is a biodynamic producer in Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux AOC that is managed with great skill and tenacity by Thierry Valette, a proponent of organic and biodynamic viticulture and ancestral winemaking practices.

Image of Clos Puy Arnaud vines

The Vineyard

The estate is located on the Saint Èmillion ridge, although in the commune of Castillon, an area that was excluded from the communal denomination and remained in the shadow of the region's great titans for years. This has helped Thierry and other local winemakers who have acquired land at affordable prices and created a unique expression of Bordeaux that is not withheld by the constraints of grander appellations.

Vines grown are between 30-60 years old and fall in line with historic local tradition, with Merlot plantings dominating, followed by Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon. The particularity of the soil in this area, which consists of a limestone matrix à astéries (''starfish-like''), has made the area highly successful, yielding wines with a distinct freshness and mineral sapidity.

 

 

The Cellar 

Fermentation is natural and spontaneous using only indigenous yeasts, and ageing takes place in cement, amphoras, or wooden barrels, altered to suit the expressiveness of the vines and the terroir.

 

 

Image of Thierry Valette in Clos Puy Arnaud cellar

 

Image of man watering Clos Puy Arnaud's vineyard

The Appellation and The Cru ‘Puy Arnaud’

In the 19th century the Castillon area was part of Saint-Emilionnais which at that time included: Saint-Emilion and its seven municipalities, the current municipalities of Saint-Emilion satellites, Pomerol, Lalande de Pomerol, Francs’ cantons and Castillon.

Castillon’s wines were then classified as Cru Bourgeois, 1st Crus, 1st Cru Artisan, Cru Artisan and Cru Paysan. 

In 1874, Puy Arnaud is first cited as 1st Cru. In 1898 it is cited on the footnote along this specific comment: “Puy Arnaud’s Cru on the rocks of Puy Carpin, planted in fine vines, cultivated with the most perfect care, produces one of the most sought-after wines of the country.”

Since 1935, with the official establishment of zones of Appellation, was born the geographical area known today as “Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux.” Since the 2008 vintage, the Côtes de Castillon along with Blaye, Cadillac and Francs have formalized their union under the common name of “Côtes de Bordeaux.”

The History of the Valette Family

Alexandre Valette, Thierry’s great-grandfather, would develop “Les Établissements Valette” during the first half of the 20th century. This company created in 1870 farms vines in Rochecorbon-Vouvray while serving as a grower/merchant for Fine Wines in the Paris suburb of Saint-Ouen.

In 1937, Alexandre invested in wine estates in Languedoc and in Bordeaux (including of Château Troplong Mondot and Pavie). 

Thierry belongs to the Pavie branch as co-shareholder from 1979 to 1998 under the direction of his cousin, Jean-Paul Valette, who will manage the Cru while playing a leading role as ambassador of Saint-Emilion’s 1st Crus abroad.

Thierry worked as co-owner alongside his grandmother, Violette Valette, before purchasing Clos Puy Arnaud in 2000, 2 years after Château Pavie’s cession.

 
Image of Thierry Valette, owner of Clos Puy Arnaud

 

Browse the Clos Puy Arnaud Range →

 

Image of Clos Puy Arnaud logo

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