The wines of Chateau Le Puy, Bordeaux Cotes de Francs

Château Le Puy
Naturally made wines from Bordeaux Côte de Francs

Website: www.chateau-le-puy.com

Château Le Puy is a remarkable property that has been in the Amoreau family since 1610. This is Bordeaux with a natural twist, made traditionally from carefully farmed vineyards. It’s not polished and modern, and all the better for it.

The vineyards are on the same limestone plateau as neighbouring regions Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. They have 51 hectares of vines split across three plots, with clay/limestone the dominant soil type. Merlot is the key red variety here, but there’s also 14% of Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% of Carménère. Whites are made from Semillon only.

Jean-Pierre, Françoise and Pascal Amoreau are the 15th generation, and farm biodynamically (certified by Demeter). In the cellar, things are old-school, and there’s no or very little added sulphur dioxide.

THE WINES

Château Le Puy Emilien 2012 Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, France
Gravelly, spicy and vivid with blackcurrant and spice notes. Stony, mineral and grippy with some pepper notes. Savoury and a bit earthy. I really like the combination of savoury, earthy notes with nice purity of fruit. There’s a rocky, stony, character, and an appealing saltiness. 94/100 (10/16)

Château Le Puy Emilien 2010 Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, France
Warm, sweet and spicy, with some earthy notes and a dense, grainy personality. Elegant fruit with some sweetness. Warm and soft. 91/100 (05/14)

Château Le Puy Emilien 2009 Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, France
Textured, spicy and elegant with warm ripe cherries and herbs. Some spiciness here. 92/100 (05/14)

Château Le Puy Emilien 2006 Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, France
Smooth, sweet, textured and very elegant with lovely density. Mineral and a bit grainy. Soft and smooth. 93/100 (05/14)

Château Le Puy Barthélemy 2009 Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, France
Warm, ripe, complex and smooth with lovely cherry and blackberry fruit. Seamless and elegant. Warm and rounded. Distinctive. 93/100 (05/14)

Château Le Puy Barthélemy 2006 Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, France
Grainy and detailed, this is ripe and aromatic with notes of herbs, spices, minerals and rich fruit. Lovely flavours of cherries, minerals and earth. 94/100 (05/14)