Cult Status: Chateau le Puy |
 |
Hello Readers,
However, if I had to pick a single 2016 arrival that gets me fired up... 2012 Chateau Le Puy Cuvée "Emilien" I've known for a while that these wines were special. I've seen them in Europe's finest wine shops, praised on authentic wine blogs, and on Instagram in Asia, where they have accrued a cult following. But I didn't realize how utterly unique, impeccably pure, and just irresistibly delicious they would be. The estate is a proper ecosystem. A sanctuary. It's almost like the property is frozen in time. This is microcosm of Bordeaux where winemaking has virtually stayed the same for centuries.
Le Puy did experiment with an inoculated fermentation once. That was in the 1930s. But Harold promised me this would never happen again. Organic and Biodynamic. This is a place where the soils are alive and breed wines that are alive. Unlike the rest of Bordeaux, Le Puy sits at high altitude, isolated by forests. The finest vineyards, at the center of the property and are plowed only by horses.
And then there's the cromlech. An ancient stonehenge on the property that radiates energy to the estate's core vineyards. For the record: Chateau le Puy also racks the barrels according to the lunar rhythm. Take all this with a grain of salt if you must. But having tasted the wines back to the 1975 vintage, it is very clear that these folks are doing something right. For perspective, the estate is located on the same plateau as Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. The appellation is technically the Cote de Francs, however, Chateau le Puy is really quite worthy of an appellation all of its own. In fact, they have applied for their own AOC.
Harold LeAngle, sporting the 1975 Emilien With the highest elevation on the right bank, an utterly unique soil composition, and a 400 year history of farming and winemaking with unparalleled steadfastness, they make a compelling case for themselves. Quite simply, on another level. Certified Organic and Biodynamic. Please Note: Wine arrives Late November/Early December. Codey Foster CS, Wine Director My Notes Read: Mouthwatering Kirsch, raspberry, black truffle, cedar, forest floor, foraged bounty, crushed leaves, and cherry blossom. This is pure autumnal bliss. Like all of my favorite wines, it is impeccably fresh, and a perfect balance of fruit and earth. On the palate, layers on layers of red fruit laced with mineral. Ultra-concentrated, and packed with a beautiful tannic backbone, but never is it astringent or gripping. Just elegant. Like all great wines: when you smell it, you want to drink it. And once you drink it, you'd like to have some more.
Organic, Biodynamic, Low Suphur/Sulfites? YES. Funk Factor? NO. Just pretty and delicious. Rosenthal Wine Merchants: "Emilien", the most important cuvée of the domaine in terms of volume is composed of 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Carmenère. It spends a year in 50hl foudres before a year in 228L barrel. Its approach is silky from the fine tannins and it bears a color of garnet red with a hint of ruby, a seductive wine of great elegance." Old Vintages Available from the cellar just in time for the holidays: |
|
