Château Puygueraud
Francs-Côtes de Bordeaux Red Bordeaux Blend
Côtes de Francs, Bordeaux, France
I purchased this one in futures, likely in spring of 06 & delivered in late 07 to Spring of 08. Parked in my storage since then.
As it was then, 2005 was a grand vintage as acclaimed by critics. So, that is when you buy some fringe producers. Buy 2nd Bordeaux wines from excellent producers to fringe regions/producers. More often than not, you’ll find really good value as is the case here. $20 on release I think.
Long coravined two separate glasses.
The nose shows a touch of v/a, but nothing offensive. Mostly…it is good old fashion Bordeaux funkiness. There is mushrooms, soft cedar, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, poached strawberries, mid berry cola, anise to licorice, graphite, tobacco, sandalwood, steeped tea, forest florals that are dark and in a violet frame.
The palate shows no sign of being tired. The fruits still fresh, lush, round & ripe; brambly blackberries, blackberries, black plum skin, poached strawberries, raspberry hues, noticeable, moist, grey, volcanic clay, some chocolate pudding, (it is Saint Emilionish), mid berry cola/licorice, dry tobacco, lead pencil, volcanic ash, dry top soils/crushed limestone, dark spice with mid intensity, some black pepper notes, soft, even layered baking spices-clove, hints of nutmeg & cinnamon, understated vanillin, moist herb notes, dark, rich, earth w/ dry leaves, dark, fresh & withering flowers/red roses, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent tension-structure-length with en elegant, round finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on clay & gentle spice.
If stored as I have, will hold a few more yrs and last another 7-8 yrs. You could make a case for 92 here.
Now some history on a producer likely many have not heard of/embraced. From their site:
This Flemish wine merchant family invested since 1924 in the Pomerol vineyard of Vieux Château Certan and in 1920 with Troplong Mondot in Saint-Emilion (sold in 1935).
The following generation, in 1946, George and Monica Thienpont, coming from their natal Flanders, moved into Puygueraud, restored the XVth Century chateau. After a long pause in polyculture, undertook the reconstruction of the vineyard whereby the first vintage would see the day in 1983.
In 1981, Nicolas Thienpont, with his father, engaged in the transition between a production oriented viticulture to one of excellence. Since 1983, the first vintage year mark, this approach has continued.
Since 2009, Nicolas and his son Cyrille Thienpont, have worked hand-in-hand for the crafting of this wine that over the last 30 years has become the flagship of the Francs Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation and a veritable jewel of Bordeaux.
Photos of; Chateau Puygueraud, Director-Owner Cyrille Thienpont.
#DSLounge
I purchased this one in futures, likely in spring of 06 & delivered in late 07 to Spring of 08. Parked in my storage since then.
As it was then, 2005 was a grand vintage as acclaimed by critics. So, that is when you buy some fringe producers. Buy 2nd Bordeaux wines from excellent producers to fringe regions/producers. More often than not, you’ll find really good value as is the case here. $20 on release I think.
Long coravined two separate glasses.
The nose shows a touch of v/a, but nothing offensive. Mostly…it is good old fashion Bordeaux funkiness. There is mushrooms, soft cedar, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum skin, black raspberries, poached strawberries, mid berry cola, anise to licorice, graphite, tobacco, sandalwood, steeped tea, forest florals that are dark and in a violet frame.
The palate shows no sign of being tired. The fruits still fresh, lush, round & ripe; brambly blackberries, blackberries, black plum skin, poached strawberries, raspberry hues, noticeable, moist, grey, volcanic clay, some chocolate pudding, (it is Saint Emilionish), mid berry cola/licorice, dry tobacco, lead pencil, volcanic ash, dry top soils/crushed limestone, dark spice with mid intensity, some black pepper notes, soft, even layered baking spices-clove, hints of nutmeg & cinnamon, understated vanillin, moist herb notes, dark, rich, earth w/ dry leaves, dark, fresh & withering flowers/red roses, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent tension-structure-length with en elegant, round finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls on clay & gentle spice.
If stored as I have, will hold a few more yrs and last another 7-8 yrs. You could make a case for 92 here.
Now some history on a producer likely many have not heard of/embraced. From their site:
This Flemish wine merchant family invested since 1924 in the Pomerol vineyard of Vieux Château Certan and in 1920 with Troplong Mondot in Saint-Emilion (sold in 1935).
The following generation, in 1946, George and Monica Thienpont, coming from their natal Flanders, moved into Puygueraud, restored the XVth Century chateau. After a long pause in polyculture, undertook the reconstruction of the vineyard whereby the first vintage would see the day in 1983.
In 1981, Nicolas Thienpont, with his father, engaged in the transition between a production oriented viticulture to one of excellence. Since 1983, the first vintage year mark, this approach has continued.
Since 2009, Nicolas and his son Cyrille Thienpont, have worked hand-in-hand for the crafting of this wine that over the last 30 years has become the flagship of the Francs Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation and a veritable jewel of Bordeaux.
Photos of; Chateau Puygueraud, Director-Owner Cyrille Thienpont.
#DSLounge
This needed a little time in the decanter to open up, but it’s clear this popular wine from the right bank is ready for early drinking already - though I’d happily give this another ten years, maybe more.
Secondary aromas dominate at the moment, with toasty scents of nutmeg, pine and vanilla, then bright red fruit with a degree of purity. The palate is plush, slightly warm, but well knitted together with fine tannins and supple red fruits and a Negroni-like finish that’s intriguing - and fun.
This is a heck of a lot of wine for the money (£8.75/half at The Wine Society) and one I’ll buy again in future.
This needed a little time in the decanter to open up, but it’s clear this popular wine from the right bank is ready for early drinking already - though I’d happily give this another ten years, maybe more.
Secondary aromas dominate at the moment, with toasty scents of nutmeg, pine and vanilla, then bright red fruit with a degree of purity. The palate is plush, slightly warm, but well knitted together with fine tannins and supple red fruits and a Negroni-like finish that’s intriguing - and fun.
This is a heck of a lot of wine for the money (£8.75/half at The Wine Society) and one I’ll buy again in future.
On open. In the spot. Faded after a few hours.
On open. In the spot. Faded after a few hours.
Oct 3rd, 2019Gritty and tight. Never opened up.
Gritty and tight. Never opened up.
Sep 2nd, 2017Nice Bordeaux blend of Merlot 80%, Cabernet Franc 15% and Malbec 5%. Dark cherry and integrated oak. Medium to full bodied. Very good QPR!
Nice Bordeaux blend of Merlot 80%, Cabernet Franc 15% and Malbec 5%. Dark cherry and integrated oak. Medium to full bodied. Very good QPR!
1 person found it helpfulJan 14th, 2020
Mostly leather earth and purple flowers.. Decent tannin and richness...
Mostly leather earth and purple flowers.. Decent tannin and richness...
1 person found it helpfulOct 19th, 2015
The nose has notes of blackberry, fig, nutmeg, cocoa and vanilla. On the palate is blackberry, black currant, black olive and some dark chocolate. For $17.99 this is not a bad Bordeaux.
The nose has notes of blackberry, fig, nutmeg, cocoa and vanilla. On the palate is blackberry, black currant, black olive and some dark chocolate. For $17.99 this is not a bad Bordeaux.
Oct 17th, 2015
Grape wood, yellow oak leaves, baked apple, dried blackberry, jasmine incense smoke, pine bark, cran -black cherry fragrances, elegant mouthfeel, aggressive tannin initially, though balanced between fruit and oak, red currant, cranberry, stone-licking, dusty and dry. Twigs and berries on the stiff fruit and cedar wood finish. I like this immensely, but certainly not for everyone. This is cave tools made of flint for gritty combat, not fruit bombs dropped by mad scientists in the hopes of sugaring the masses to death. Hirsute cave ladies, the moon is full, I think you know it's time for bone rattling, plaintive ululating and the coming of Boognish.
Grape wood, yellow oak leaves, baked apple, dried blackberry, jasmine incense smoke, pine bark, cran -black cherry fragrances, elegant mouthfeel, aggressive tannin initially, though balanced between fruit and oak, red currant, cranberry, stone-licking, dusty and dry. Twigs and berries on the stiff fruit and cedar wood finish. I like this immensely, but certainly not for everyone. This is cave tools made of flint for gritty combat, not fruit bombs dropped by mad scientists in the hopes of sugaring the masses to death. Hirsute cave ladies, the moon is full, I think you know it's time for bone rattling, plaintive ululating and the coming of Boognish.
Sep 26th, 2015
Part of a cellar acquisition where storage was perfect for 20+yrs before the cellar’s upkeep was disregarded and left to a non-climate controlled temp for a few years. All bottles look pristine (doesn’t mean the wine will be).
Completely unfamiliar with this producer. After some research, the same owners also own Vieux Chateau Certan as well as Le Pin (good names to be associated with). As a Cotes de Bordeaux, this is an appellation in the right-bank, so most wines are merlot based.
Very low expectations going in, but what a lovely surprise. Not only did it have provenance against it, nearing 40yrs for an appellation level didn’t help, but after following this for two nights, I want to find some younger vintages. Color is even more youthful than the ‘83 Lynch Bages I opened a few weeks prior. A distinct rich earth+smoked meat+mocha note aromatically that I find with certain right bank Bordeaux’s. The palate is clean (no brett) with an elegant profile (albeit a clipped finish). The front palate has great weight and shows cassis, tobacco leaves and old black cherries. This isn’t as layered/complex as the Lynch Bages was, but the depth and elegance here was a shocker (even more so as a Cotes de Bordeaux!)
Part of a cellar acquisition where storage was perfect for 20+yrs before the cellar’s upkeep was disregarded and left to a non-climate controlled temp for a few years. All bottles look pristine (doesn’t mean the wine will be).
Completely unfamiliar with this producer. After some research, the same owners also own Vieux Chateau Certan as well as Le Pin (good names to be associated with). As a Cotes de Bordeaux, this is an appellation in the right-bank, so most wines are merlot based.
Very low expectations going in, but what a lovely surprise. Not only did it have provenance against it, nearing 40yrs for an appellation level didn’t help, but after following this for two nights, I want to find some younger vintages. Color is even more youthful than the ‘83 Lynch Bages I opened a few weeks prior. A distinct rich earth+smoked meat+mocha note aromatically that I find with certain right bank Bordeaux’s. The palate is clean (no brett) with an elegant profile (albeit a clipped finish). The front palate has great weight and shows cassis, tobacco leaves and old black cherries. This isn’t as layered/complex as the Lynch Bages was, but the depth and elegance here was a shocker (even more so as a Cotes de Bordeaux!)