Astral de Chateau Puybarbe 2020

Get to know: Astral de Chateau Puybarbe

Tasting Note

Astral de Chateau Puybarbe is a proper claret with bags of personality. Pop the cork and you can expect deep ruby colour and a nose full of ripe bramble, cassis, and black cherries, all lifted by a touch of mint and warm spice from oak ageing. On the palate it’s full-bodied and structured – generous with dark berry fruit, soft acidity and those classic Bordeaux tannins that make it very food friendly. Decant for a couple of hours to let it open up and you’ll be rewarded with a long, elegant finish.

Try this with a sunday roast, roast duck with root veg, aubergine parmigiana or simply a bit of mature cheddar or aged Comté

Kate Says

"This one’s a bit of a showstopper for the money. It’s got that plush, ripe fruit you want in a modern Bordeaux, but still feels proper and grown-up. One to crack open with a roast or keep back for a birthday dinner - just give it a bit of air and it’ll do the rest."

Producer Info

Chateau Puybarbe produce well-balanced wines that express their terroir mixing tradition and modernity. The vineyards are all owned and managed by Anna and Riku Väänänen. They farm sustainably, without herbicides or chemical fertilisers, and they’ve held High Environmental Value (HVE) certification since 2017. Their 30-year-old vines grow on clay-limestone soils, which help give structure and freshness to the finished wine. 

The Chateau located in the heart of the appellation of “Côtes de Bourg”. Three parallel lines of hills, along the Gironde estuary (just opposite the Margaux appellation in Médoc) gave this wine region its nick name of “Small Switzerland of Bordeaux”.

Astral de Chateau Puybarbe is a blend of 88% Merlot 12% Cabernet Sauvignon with small proportions of Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Aged for 11 months with French oak staves.