The wines of Clos du Tue Boeuf Puzelat Freres, Loire, France

The wines of Clos du Tue-Boeuf, Puzelat Frères, Touraine
Natural wines from one of the Loire's most interesting producers

Website: www.puzelat.com

Thierry Puzelat

Thierry and Jean-Marie Puzelat—brothers—are natural wine royalty. They are making some of the Loire’s most interesting wines and are at the heart of the natural wine movement. They began working in their family domaine in the 1990s, and at the heart of the operation is the 10 hectare family estate—the Clos du Tue-Boeuf—in the Cheverny appellation, which is supplemented by 6 hectares rented in the nearby Touraine appellation.

Thierry also has a negociant arm, which is called Puzelat-Bonhomme, adhering to the same natural standards. For all the wines, fermentation is with wild yeasts and no or very little sulphur dioxide is employed through the winemaking process.

Their location in the Loire means that they get to play with a wide array of grape varieties, including Gamay, Côt (Malbec), Menu Pineau, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Romorantin.

For an in-depth look at Puzelat, see Bertrand Celce’s excellent article: www.wineterroirs.com/2008/07/thierry_puzelat.html

THE WINES

Clos du Tue-Boeuf Brin de Chevre 2009
varietal Menu Pineau. Lively nutty nose is aromatic and fresh. Notes of citrus and nuts with lovely precision and acidity. 91/100

Clos du Tue-Boeuf Cheverny Blanc ‘Frileuse’ 2010
Nutty, appley and a bit citrussy with pear and herb notes. Lively and distinctive with good acidity. 90/100

Clos du Tue-Boeuf Buisson Pouilleux Vieilles Vignes 2010
Open, appley, nutty nose. Lively. Lovely mineral, nutty palate. Made in an oxidative style, but alive, with notes of apples and herbs. 91/100

Clos du Tue-Boeuf Cheverny Rouge 2010
Mainly Pinot Noir with a bit of Gamay. Lively, open, aromatic nose with elegant, sappy cherry fruit. Beautifully elegant palate with cherry fruit dominant. 92/100

Clos du Tue-Boeuf Cheverny Rouge ‘Rouillon’ 2010
Half Pinot Noir, half Gamay. Lovely mineral nose is smoky, elegant and aromatic with red cherry fruit. The palate is superbly fresh and elegant with fine mineral notes. 93/100

Clos du Tue-Boeuf La Guerrerie 2009 Touraine
Côt and Gamay. Wonderfully fresh, vivid and spicy with good structure. Vivid cherry and raspberry fruit to the fore, backed by good acidity. 94/100

Puzelat Bonhomme Romorantin 2009 Vin de France
Very lively and expressive with intense herby, citrussy, nutty fruit. Fresh pear notes. Some texture. 92/100

Puzelat Bonhomme ‘In Côt We Trust’ 2009
Lively aromatics: fresh, pure and beautifully perfumed with dark fruits. Bright and fresh and pure with a mineral dimension. 93/100

Puzelat Bonhomme Pinot Noir 2009 Touraine
Elegant, fresh, sappy style with pure, bright, supple cherry fruit. I just love the elegance here. 92/100

UK Agent: Les Caves de Pyrene