Château Le Puy "Duc des Nauves" Bordeaux, France 2021

FROM ROSENTHAL

THE WINE: A cuvée from a neighboring vineyard belonging to the Amoreau family, situated on the same astéries-limestone mother rock as those of the estate, but at a slightly lower altitude—80 meters above sea level compared to Le Puy’s 110 meters. The culture and the vinification are carried out by the Château le Puy team following the same approach: natural, organic and biodynamic. The wine is made up 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeast, maturing in small, cement vats, bottled without filtration after 12 months. The aromatic bouquet reveals black fruit, plum and cherry, well balanced between its freshness and velvety tannins.

THE PRODUCER: In continuous operation by the Amoreau family since 1610, Rosenthal Wine Merchant is currently working with the 14th generation at this singular estate. The estate is situated on the same plateau as Saint Emilion and Pomerol and sits on the second highest point in the Gironde at 110 meters above sea level (approximately 350 feet). The vineyards are planted to a number of red varieties, including Merlot (85%), Cabernet Sauvignon (6%), Cabernet Franc (7%) along with a touch of Malbec and Carmenère. The exclusive white variety is Semillon. The soil type varies but is principally a mix of clay, silex and limestone, with very high acidity levels. The average age of the vines is 50 years and no synthetic treatments have ever been used at the estate, which is certified biodynamic. Harvest is manual, the grapes are entirely destemmed and the cuvaison is long, continuing for two to four weeks. Only indigenous yeast is utilized, no chapitalisation is done nor is SO2 used during the fermentation. The “elevage” of the Le Puy wines is done according to the lunar rhythm. The two essential red cuvées of the estate, “Emilien” and “Barthelemy” are raised in barrel for 24 months. The wines are neither fined nor filtered before bottling. Jean-Pierre Amoreau and his son, Pascal, oversee the vineyards and vinification.