
Château Arnauld

The SommPills Cellar
1 wine on the Château Arnauld shelf, chosen one at a time.
1 wines on the shelf
Château Arnauld is a 17-hectare Cru Bourgeois estate in Haut-Médoc, owned by the Allianz Group and planted on deep gravel soils at the edge of the Gironde River. The château traces its origins to the 17th century—when it was renamed by Pierre-Jacques Arnauld—and was run by the Theil family (owners of nearby Château Poujeaux) from 1956 to 2007. Under winemaker Franck Bijon, château Arnauld wines are built on a philosophy of low yields and sustainable farming, with vines averaging 40 years old planted at high density to concentrate flavour. The 2015 vintage exemplifies this approach: hand-harvested, double-sorted, aged 16 months in new oak, and scoring 90 points for its savoury, classic Bordeaux profile.
Sited between Margaux and Moulis near Arcins, Château Arnauld benefits from one of Haut-Médoc's finest terroirs: a well-draining gravel outcrop with excellent ripening potential. The vineyard, replanted at 10,000 vines per hectare—well above minimum density—forces each vine to work harder, yielding smaller, more concentrated berries. Sustainable farming practices protect soil and canopy health across the 17.2 hectares. Winemaker Franck Bijon oversees meticulous harvest protocols: hand-picking followed by double sorting at the winery, gentle destemming, and long maceration in temperature-controlled stainless steel. The resulting wines spend 16 months in new French oak, a generous maturation that builds structure without overwhelming the fruit. This rigorous approach—from vineyard to barrel—has established Château Arnauld as a reliable source of elegant, age-worthy Haut-Médoc.
We stock the 2015 Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel (£37.90, 90 points)—a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot that showcases the house style. On the nose: blackcurrant and cedar with smokey undertones. The palate is well-structured, layered with intense blackberry and plum, held taut by ripe tannins and a natural cork closure at 13.5% ABV. The 2015 vintage benefited from an exceptionally dry growing season with concentrated ripening in late August and September, yielding small berries packed with flavour. Start here if you want a serious Haut-Médoc with real ageing potential—it's a wine that will reward cellaring for another 5–10 years, yet drinks with pleasure now.
The structured tannins and blackberry-plum depth make this wine a natural partner for beef: rib-eye steak, slow-roasted brisket, or beef stew with red wine and mushrooms all shine alongside it. Try it with duck confit, lamb shoulder, or venison for richer, game-forward matches. The cedar and smoke notes also suit grilled lamb chops and hard cheeses such as aged Comté.
Château Arnauld is owned by the Allianz Group and operated by winemaker Franck Bijon. The 17-hectare estate sits in Haut-Médoc near Arcins, on deep gravel soils at the edge of the Gironde River.
Classic Bordeaux blends: the 2015 Haut-Médoc is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. Savoury aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, and smoke; intense plum and blackberry on the palate. Scored 90 points.
The 2015 Haut-Médoc Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel is £37.90. It offers solid mid-range Bordeaux quality with genuine ageing potential at a fair price.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.