Chateau Puynard Preservative Free Merlot 2020: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Polished Tannins & Glossy Fruit

Chateau Puynard Preservative Free Merlot 2020, also known as Sans Soufre Ajouté, is a certified organic Bordeaux Merlot made without added sulphur dioxide. It sits in that lovely space between classic and natural — deep-fruited, savoury and smooth, with blackcurrant, morello cherry, wild blackberry, thyme, graphite and black olive. No oak, no heaviness, just pure Merlot fruit with gentle structure and a long, aromatic finish.

Highlights

• Certified organic, vegan suitable and no added preservative
• Crafted by Château Puynard — a certified organic estate in Berson, Blaye, Bordeaux
• 100% Merlot, made without added sulphur dioxide
• No oak: aged in vats only, using free-run wine for fruit purity
• 93-point listing from Nicks Wine Merchants
• 14.0% ABV

Tasting Notes

Deep purple in the glass, this preservative-free Merlot opens with blackcurrant, dark raspberry, morello cherry and wild blackberry, followed by thyme, graphite, black olive and a little earthy leather. The palate is dry and medium-bodied, with generous dark fruit, a supple entry, silky texture and subtle tannic grip. Because there is no oak, the fruit and savoury Bordeaux detail come through clearly — polished, aromatic and quietly complex rather than heavy.

Winemaking

Château Puynard Sans Soufre Ajouté is made from 100% Merlot and produced without added sulphur dioxide. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled steel vats at around 23–25°C, followed by 21 days of skin contact. The wine is aged in vats only, using free-run wine, with no oak influence. Production is small, at around 2,000 bottles, giving this cuvée a more limited, hands-on character.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from Château Puynard’s certified organic vineyard in Berson, in the Blaye area of Bordeaux. The Sans Soufre Ajouté parcel is planted on clay-limestone soils at around 5,000 vines per hectare, with vines averaging approximately 35 years of age. The 2020 vintage now has beautiful bottle age, bringing the primary black fruit into a more savoury phase while still holding freshness and structure.

Why We Love It

This is a rare find: certified organic Bordeaux Merlot with no added preservative, no oak and genuine character. It has the plushness Merlot drinkers love, but also the savoury, graphite-edged detail that makes Bordeaux so satisfying at the table. Six years on, the wine is drinking in a lovely window — smooth, aromatic and layered, without losing its natural brightness.

Food Pairing

This Merlot suits savoury, protein-rich dishes, earthy vegetables and anything with herbs, char or slow-cooked depth. The tannins are gentle enough for relaxed meals, while the black fruit and graphite notes give it enough structure for richer dishes.

Try matching this wine with →

• Slow-cooked lamb shoulder with rosemary and garlic — Find a Recipe
• Mushroom and lentil ragu with parmesan or vegan hard cheese — Find a Recipe
• Grilled steak with chimichurri — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Perfect for a winter dinner, a good roast, a cheese board with friends, or any night you want a softer Bordeaux red without the usual preservative load. It is also a thoughtful choice for Merlot lovers who want something more natural and expressive.

Cellaring

Chateau Puynard Preservative Free Merlot 2020 is drinking beautifully now and can be enjoyed through to around 2030 under good storage conditions. Because it is made without added preservative, store it carefully away from heat and light, and drink within 1–2 days once opened.

Producer

Château Puynard is based in Berson, in the Blaye region of Bordeaux, where Irish ex-pats Andrew Eakin and Naomi Murtagh took over the centuries-old château in 2016. The estate has a seven-generation winemaking history behind it, but the current direction is fresh, thoughtful and environmentally focused. The vineyard has been certified organic since 2020, with Ecocert certification, and the team works with clay-limestone soils, established vines and low-intervention techniques to create Bordeaux wines with purity, drinkability and a clear sense of place.

Related Wines To Try →

These are good next steps if you enjoy organic Bordeaux structure, preservative-free reds or smooth Merlot-led styles.

• Organic Bordeaux with Merlot-led elegance — Chateau Jean Faux Les Sources
• Certified organic and preservative-free Cabernet Merlot — Temple Bruer Preservative Free Cabernet Merlot
• Organic, preservative-free Cabernet with cassis and fine tannins — Organic Hill Founders Preservative Free Cabernet Sauvignon

FAQ

What does Chateau Puynard Preservative Free Merlot 2020 taste like?

It tastes of blackcurrant, dark raspberry, morello cherry and wild blackberry, with savoury notes of thyme, graphite, black olive and earthy leather. The palate is dry, silky and medium-bodied, with gentle grip and a long aromatic finish.

Is this wine sweet, dry or full-bodied?

This is a dry red wine, with residual sugar around 1 g/L. It is medium-bodied rather than big and heavy, with ripe fruit, moderate acidity and supple tannins.

Is Chateau Puynard Preservative Free Merlot organic?

Yes. Château Puynard is certified organic, and this wine is listed as certified organic. The estate gained organic certification in 2020 and farms its Bordeaux vineyards with a focus on healthy grapes, living soils and lower-impact production.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This wine is listed as No Added Preservative, meaning no sulphur dioxide has been added during production. As with all wine, very small amounts of sulphites may occur naturally through fermentation.

Is this Merlot vegan friendly?

Yes. Chateau Puynard Preservative Free Merlot 2020 is vegan suitable. That makes it a strong option for anyone looking for a certified organic, preservative-free and vegan-friendly Bordeaux red.

How should I serve it?

Serve at around 15–17°C in a Bordeaux or large red wine glass. A short 20-minute decant will help the dark fruit, thyme and graphite notes open up, especially if the bottle has been stored cool.

What food pairs best with this wine?

It is excellent with roast lamb, grilled steak, charcuterie, cold meats and young cheeses. For a vegetarian match, try mushroom and lentil ragu, grilled eggplant, herbed lentils or a savoury mushroom pie.

How long will it last after opening?

Because this is a no-added-preservative wine, it is best enjoyed within 1–2 days after opening. Reseal the bottle and store it in the fridge, then allow it to come back slightly towards room temperature before serving.

Can this wine be cellared?

Yes, although it is already in a very good drinking window. Enjoy now for its silky fruit and developing savoury detail, or cellar carefully until around 2030 if you like softer, more evolved Merlot.

Who will love this wine?

This is for drinkers who enjoy smooth, dry reds with dark fruit, savoury edges and polished tannins. If you like Merlot, Cabernet Merlot or softer Bordeaux reds, this is a natural, preservative-free version with plenty of charm.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes. With residual sugar around 1 g/L, this is a very dry red wine and generally suitable for low-sugar or keto-style drinking preferences. As always, alcohol itself still matters, so serving size is the key consideration.

(SKU: CH_MER_CV)