Today, Château Puech-Haut is one of the most beautiful estates in the Languedoc, and the wines amongst the finest in the region.

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Meghan Wood
5 years ago
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4 Coming up the long lane, bordered by olive trees, with vineyards on each side, it is difficult to imagine how this place was about 20 years ago. It certainly did not resemble a vineyard estate. Today, Château Puech-Haut is one of the most beautiful estates in the Languedoc, and the wines amongst the finest in the region.

5 The story of Château Puech-Haut is interesting, as is that of Gérard BRU, the owner. An ex-industrialist who, starting from nothing, created a business of 500 employees and a personal fortune.

6 At the beginning of the Eighties, Gérard BRU bought 25 hectares (about 60 acres) of land north-east of Montpellier. There were no vines, only olive trees and garrigue.

7 There was not yet an appellation, but undoubtedly an excellent terroir for a vineyard. Clay-limestone soil covered with rounded pebbles such as one finds at Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

8 Nor were there any buildings, no house, no winery. As with his business, Gérard BRU would have to from scratch.

9 Ten years followed of clearing, ploughing and planting.

10 For the buildings, it was quicker because buildings can be moved! From the former Prefecture at Montpellier, a folly (as was called this type of 19th century country house) was acquired, dismantled, and rebuilt stone by stone, and is now the main building of Château Puech-Haut.

11 The buildings of the impressive winery and cellar came about in a similar manner, transplanted from a past equally bizarre.

12 NO HALF MEASURES AND UNLIMITED MEANS In 1990, when Château Puech-Haut was finally ready for its first year of production, Gérard BRU decided at the age of 42 to change his lifestyle and sold his business to devote himself entirely to the vineyard.

13 As Cellarmaster, Yves GRUVEL was taken on from a cave coopérative, a man solidly planted in the land and traditions of the Languedoc, the perfect counterpoint to Gérard BRU the industrialist. And, since nothing is half done at Puech-Haut, Gérard BRU took as adviser Michel ROLLAND, one of the best oenologists, from 1996 until Since 2008 we have been joined by Philippe Cambie the specialist in Côtes du Rhône wines with an international reputation, to work alongside our oenologist Mathieu Ciampi.

14 The winery interior also characterises the motto No compromises and the apparently unlimited financial means.

15 Everything is renovated, not vulgarly as is often the case when money is no object, very simply and with much taste.. From the very fine reception room, through enormous plate glass windows, one sees the 3 production phases: vineyard, winemaking, and maturing. The barrel cellar, with its 600 barrels and vaulted ceiling, would be the envy of many a Bordeaux Château.

16 Even more spectacular is the winery. At first, state of the art stainless steel vats with full temperature control were used. But, with experience, it was evident that the red wines needed more oxygen during fermentation to avoid odours of reduction.

17 Consequently, Gérard BRU ordered 20 wooden vats, specially made, which were used for the first time for the 1997 harvest.

18 Grenache and Syrah were the varietals first chosen for planting. Since then, some neighbouring parcels, containing old Carignan vines (50 to 60 years old), have been bought and several hectares have been planted with Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne, the 3 classic white Rhone varietals.

19 Today, the vineyard has 200 hectares of vines, it is within the appellations: Coteaux du Languedoc Saint Drézéry which is the name of the commune and is the smallest of the Languedoc terroirs Pic Saint Loup the famous cru of Languedoc

20 LA CLOSERIE DU PIC

21 Tête de Bélier

22 PRESTIGE

The production is considerable, 2 400 000 bottles per year.

23 The production is considerable, bottles per year. Puech-Haut wines are powerful and fat with plenty of character.

24 The winemaking is based on the principle of separation of varietals and parcels. Individual parcels are harvested, fermented and aged separately. This is necessary in a young estate without many years of experience.

25 Puech-Haut, through the expression of its wines, has acquired a recognized admiration and represents a secure value of the Languedoc. State ranked among the best producers in the Languedoc

Château Puech Haut Les Parcellaires 40 ème Bosc Nègre 2001 94 points 2009 95 points 2002 95 points 2011 95 points 2009 95 points 2014 92/94 points Recantou Réboussier 2009

26 Château Puech Haut Les Parcellaires 40 ème Bosc Nègre points points points points points /94 points Recantou Réboussier points points points /95 points /92 points Quercus Cante lebre points points points /93 points /94 points

27 Château Puech Haut Tête de Bélier Blanc Tête de Bélier Rosé Tête de Bélier Rouge points points points points /93 points points points points /95 points points /95 points points points points /93 points Closerie Blanc Closerie du Pic Rosé Closerie du Pic Rouge points points points /93 points /94 points /94 points /92 points

92 points 2002 86 points 2015 90/92 points 2015 90/92 points 2009

28 Château Puech Haut Prestige Blanc Prestige Rosé Prestige Rouge points points points points points points /92 points /92 points points points points points points

29 Puech-Haut The ram is to Puech-Haut what the sheep is to the Rothschilds

30 Ornamental stone from a 12 th century found during the colossal works undertaken at the Château,

31 The ram has become the recognized symbol of Puech-Haut.

32 A marriage of power and sweetness, this majestic animal with his rounded horns adorn Château Puech-Haut and crown dressings with his endurance and endearing charm.

33 Olives are an integral part of the history of Puech-Haut. Before becoming a vineyard, the lands were simply a vast range of olive trees.

34 Of that field, today there are still about fifteen hectares of olives trees.

35 From these olive trees, Puech-Haut harvests olive oil every year that you can find for sale in the estate cellar. Of that field, today there are still about fifteen hectares of olives trees.

36 Today a visit to Château Puech Hau has to include a visit to the old, totally authentic olive press.

37 Visitors can come admire this 18th century grindstone that hasn t changed since antiquity, as well as a complete 19th century olive press powered by a steam engine and still in use.

38 2250 route de Teyran Saint-Drézery GPS : 43,72087,3,96089 Tél : contact@puech-haut.com

39 Château Puech-Haut

41 Barrik Art Collection The first creations were born from the encounter of Gérard Bru with certain artists, then quickly, word of mouth went into effect and new artists got into the act.

42 The deal is simple: the container versus the contents. He puts a barrel at the artist's disposal and in exchange he gives the artist an equivalent quantity of wine.

43 Gérard Bru built his estate like a work of art. For a man who loves nice objects, terroir, generosity, it was necessary to share his two Loves of art and vine: Bib Art was born.

44 Funny, sexy, charming, numbered, we can collect them, expose or exchange them.

49 The biggest barrel in the world

51 and

52 Puech-Haut Puech-Haut wines always want to surprise, by quality, by style, through Art and innovation. Always looking for innovation, freshness, luxury and voluptuousness, reflecting the state of mind of the new challenges ahead, Puech-Haut s team is pleased to announce the new presentation of PRESTIGE Rosé 2016.

53 A new bottle, an original shape, exclusive design for Puech-Haut, really different, unpublished.

54 This new bottle, with its stunning and surprising silhouette, is a face to face with the future and the reflection of the past years, to establish the image of the Puech-Haut wines.

CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE FRANCE

CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE FRANCE Domaine de la Charbonnière 3 Appellation of origin and the terroir 4 Our Wines 9 It was in 1912 that Eugene MARET bought DOMAINE DE LA CHARBONNIÈRE as a gift for his wife who