Astral
de
Château Puybarbe
APPELLATION
Bordeaux, Côtes de Bourg AOP
GRAPE VARIETIES
78 % Merlot, 20 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Malbec
WINEMAKING
Meticulously selected grapes entered first a 5-day cold maceration, followed by temperature-controlled fermentation to retain the purity of fruit, elegance and freshness. Long and gentle 40-day extraction, parcel by parcel vinification, racking three times and aging with oak staves for 20 months prior bottling and additional aging for 18 months in bottles.
COLOR
Dark red.
NOTES
“Delicious with abundant fruit, excellent balance and silky tannins”, 90/100p Andreas Larsson, The Best Sommelier of the World 2007, www.tasted.wine March 2022
PRODUCER NOTES
Château Puybarbe is situated at the highest elevation of the Côtes de Bourg appellation looking over the Gironde estuary on the right bank of Bordeaux. The 41-hectare vineyard comprises predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and is cultivated according to sustainable philosophies. Château Puybarbe uses no herbicides or chemical fertilizers and is both HVE (High Environmental Value) and ISO 14001 certified since 2017. A modern winery was inaugurated for the year 2001’s harvest. It integrates many technical advances, at the service of a traditional know-how respectful of the grapes and the wine, and with a clear objective to be one of the best producers in AOP “Côtes de Bourg”.
VINTAGE
Followed by a mild and rainy winter, the spring started early with almost summer-like conditions – the budburst took place already mid-March, three weeks earlier than normal. The cool period from early April to mid-May 2019 slowed down the growth. The return of warm weather from mid-May onwards led to rapid flowering, a guarantee of quality. The high temperatures in early June accelerated the vine growth and overall, the summer 2019 will be remembered because of the two periods of extreme heat – the Canicule – with afternoon temperatures well over 40C. Furthermore, there was no rain from mid-June until end of September. These conditions resulted to perfectly ripe, relatively thick-skinned, highly concentrated grapes resembling the years 2015 and 2009.
VINEYARD
The vineyards sit on a south-sloping, sun-drenched plateau on the highest point of the appellation. Vines are planted at 5,000 plants per hectare in calcareous-clay soils. Average age of vines is 30 years, oldest parcels 75 years. The vineyard is managed sustainably. Natural weeds between the rows absorb excess moisture and promote microbial life in the soil. The vines are pruned to the double Guyot method, cultivated according to sustainable viticulture practices and with a strict control of yields (33,6 HL per hectare) on a plot by plot basis.
AWARDS & TASTING NOTES
“Inky core and a purple hue. Pure and layered nose, fresh dark berries, discreet oak and mild spiciness. Medium weight yet with dense fruit and good flavour intensity, grainy tannin, a fresh backbone and well-built finish. “
90/100p, Andreas Larsson, The Best Sommelier of the World 2007, www.tasted.wine March 2022
Gold medal, Concours Mondial des Féminalise, 2023 (a famous competition, all 350 judges are women)
SERVING SUGESTIONS
Roasted duck, red-meat dishes, game.
Technical notes
Winemaker: Stephane Derenoncourt
Production: 60 000 bottles
Vintage: 2019
TA: 5.0 g/L
RS: <2 g/L
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Vinmonopolets varenummer: Lanseres i BU i januar 2024
