Clos Puy Arnaud - Les Acacias 2017
92/100
Decanter
14,5/20
RVF
14/20
Bettane & Desseauve
"A Bordeaux of this caliber at this price—what a bargain!"
“A deep plum color with ink-like hues and a complex, ambitious nose. The fruit is supported by lovely acidity and firm tannins; there’s a touch of rusticity, but the bramble notes and the richness of the blackberries bring a sense of pleasure. It’s delightful to see such a successful 100% Cabernet Franc, showcasing the very best that the grape variety and terroir have to offer. Expect even deeper aromas with a few more years in the bottle. Best enjoyed between 2020 and 2035.” (Decanter) Thierry Valette, the great winemaker from Castillon, needs no introduction—and here he delivers yet another success! A delightful wine at its peak—one to buy by the case!
Buy your Clos Puy Arnaud wines at the best price through a private sale!
Starting at €99 on your first order
Eye
Purple
Nose
Complex and full of ambition. Captivating, with floral and fruity notes of brambles and blackberries. Open and pleasant, with a hint of rusticity. This wine should be decanted if a hint of reduction is detected.
Palate
A divine, luscious nectar with no harshness—a beautifully balanced wine with good body, velvety tannins, perfect balance, and plenty of drinking pleasure. A beautifully crafted 100% Cabernet Franc that is refined and easy to drink, with the potential to age and gain depth through 2035.
Serve
At 15-17°C
Open
Decant, especially if there is a hint of reduction on the nose
Drink before
2030
Guard
Ages 5 to 12
Food and Wine Pairings
Pairs beautifully with chicken liver cake, ribeye steak, baked eggs, or a truffle omelet; a dish of cardoons with bone marrow; and cheeses such as Rocher nantais or Cendré de Vergy
Bettane & Desseauve
Wine rated 14/20 (Good wine)
Rated estate (2022 guide): 4*Stars (Producers of the very highest quality, the pride of French viticulture)
About the wine:
Deep color with purplish highlights, crisp fruit, sweet spices, and very supple, subtle tannins. Quite reduced but very pleasant.
About the estate:
Thierry Valette has always had a passion for wine; his great-grandfather owned Châteaux Pavie and Troplong-Mondot, two of Saint-Émilion’s most prestigious classified growths. In 2000, he took over this 13-hectare estate in Belvès-de-Castillon (20 kilometers east of Libourne), committing to the rigorous standards of biodynamic viticulture. Asterian limestone predominates at Puy Arnaud. In fact, in the late 19th century, the Clos’s fifteen hectares were classified as a “Premier Cru” of Saint-Émilion! These soils impart great finesse, freshness, and minerality to the grapes, allowing the bouquet to rival that of the “great terroirs” (floral, spices, truffle) as it gradually develops. The wine range stands out for its consistency and coherence: the Pervenche cuvée, with moderate aging potential, is best enjoyed within 5 years to savor its lively fruit. Les-Ormeaux offers a delicately textured wine, paired with exemplary fruitiness and a rich, balanced flavor. Velvety in texture and predominantly Merlot, this grand vin is highly refined in its tannic length, with well-defined fruit and a stylish, refreshing finish. This is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished vintages on the Right Bank. In a blind tasting, this wine will surprise many, as it can hold its own against other, more prestigious wines. It is one of the most original wines from the Bordeaux region!
Decanter
Wine rated 92/100
About the wine:
A deep plum color with ink-like hues and a complex, ambitious nose. The fruit is supported by beautiful acidity and firm tannins; there’s a touch of rusticity, but the bramble notes and the richness of the blackberries bring a sense of pleasure. It’s delightful to see such a successful 100% Cabernet Franc, showcasing the best that the grape variety and terroir have to offer. Expect even deeper aromas with a few more years in the bottle. Best enjoyed between 2020 and 2035.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated 14.5/20 (Good wine)
Rated Estate (2022 Guide) 2*Stars (These exceptional estates, often boasting fabulous terroirs, are must-haves that, thanks to the consistency and excellence of their wines, deserve a place in the cellars of discerning wine lovers)
About the estate:
Thierry Valette has owned this estate in Castillon since 2000. Carefully crafted, the wine established itself from the outset as one of the appellation’s most interesting wines, with a deep and eminently refined style. The vineyard, now cultivated using biodynamic methods, is living up to all expectations. In addition to the flagship wine, Thierry Valette offers two “everyday” cuvées (Bistrot and Rouge) that restore our faith in Bordeaux wines meant for immediate enjoyment. It’s worth noting the consistency of the lineup and the winemaker’s commitment to producing both wines for immediate pleasure and wines of great depth.
Jancis Robinson
Rated winery (2022 guide) Recommended
James Suckling
Rated winery (2022 guide) Recommended
Customer Rating
4.4/5
based on 5 reviews
Review by Mr. FABRICE R. Published on July 5, 2021
Still closed, but what potential... A beautifully aged wine full of subtlety
See all reviews from this customer
Review and comment by Mr. PHILIPPE M. Published on August 20, 2024
See all reviews from this customer
Review and opinion by Mr. RENAUD E. Published on March 12, 2023
See all reviews from this customer
Review and comment by Mr. HUGUES G. Published on September 3, 2022
See all reviews from this customer
Review by Mr. NICOLAS S. Posted on April 6, 2022
See all reviews from this customer
Discover more wines from the estate