The magistrate of Bordeaux, Pierre-Jacques Arnauld, bought in the 17th century the Priory of Arcins which became the Cru Arnauld before being renamed Château Arnauld. It is said that the Priory of Arcins quenched the thirst of many pilgrims on this road and preserved them from unsanitary water. Since 2007, Château Arnauld is the property of the Allianz group.
Preparing to visit the estate with Paolo Basso, Best Sommelier of the World, we left the mythical D2 road to enter a wide courtyard and marked by the passages, until recently, of the construction machines. It appears very quickly that here they craft a jewel. This chateau has been renovated and especially redesigned to make of Arnauld a grand wine in a setting up to new aspirations. Part of the De La Rose Vineyards and their 220 hectares, Château Arnauld now claims 12 hectares that stretch on the deep Günzian plateau of Arcins. Currently converting to organic farming, the vineyard is covered with grass and plunge its roots into soils with a low pH. Olivier Fargeot, the commercial director, recalling by the way that grand wines are rarely characterized by high pH. Since 2014, a new vathouse houses impeccable truncated vats in which the emphasis is set on pigeages rather than pumping over to preserve fine tannins. Olivier Fargeot often dwells on the desire to get precision in vinifications supervised since 2015 by Hubert de Boüard. Gentle toastings will not impart any empyreumatic aromas to the wine and the 12 to 18 month aging in 100% new barrels will keep the beautiful fruit of Château Arnauld.
The tasting of the 2015, vintage sometimes and in other places marked by the over-maturity, reveals here smooth and juicy wines, and fairly integrated tannins. Bet that the contribution of Merlots on clay has largely contributed to the freshness of this Cru Bourgeois of Haut-Médoc that seems to herald a bright future.
Henry Clemens
Château Arnauld 2014, Haut-Médoc
Ruby-red with purplish reflections. Vanilla note with a woodiness that still has to melt. Blackcurrant and blackberries, licorice. On the palate, a nice freshness that enhances the tasty perception, a medium+ body, a quite dense beautiful structure, fine and fairly integrated tannins, persistent finish with a beautiful intensity and lovely flavors. The new trunk-conical stainless steel vats allow excellent extractions. A beautiful wine with a potential for gastronomy thanks to the beautiful freshness. Ageing: 2020-2027.
Château Arnauld 2016, Haut-Médoc
Deep ruby-red colour with purplish reflections. In the nose, ripe fruit with hints of cherries, blackcurrant syrup, blackberry liqueur. The woodiness is discrete though it appears through aromas of vanilla, cinnamon and licorice. Rich and dense palate, but extremely young. Therefore still looking for a balance that it will reach in about 2-3 years. A very nice well-integrated acidity, dense mid-palate and a medium+ body, fine and young tannins although round, a rather long finish. A beautiful wine that seduces with its acidity that highlights the flavors.
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