The Art and Elegance of Bordeaux Wines: Vignobles Arbo Tasting

When: Wednesday, November 4th 6:30-8:30pm

Where: The RUX at The Cambria Midtown

1612 Church Street, Nashville TN 37206

Vignobles Arbo - Five Wines from Bordeaux France

Vignobles Arbo is a multigenerational Bordeaux wine estate whose family history stretches back to the early twentieth century. The family's vineyard story began with Amand Puyanché, who purchased land before World War I but died before realizing his ambition of establishing a winery. Later generations revived that dream, with Bernadette Arbo and her husband Joseph moving away from cooperative production to develop their own wines. Today, the family's wines reflect both traditional Bordeaux craftsmanship and a willingness to explore varietal expressions of grapes such as Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

THE EVENING'S SELECTIONS

2020 Château Godard Bellevue

Château Godard Bellevue 2020 is a powerful, beautifully structured Bordeaux that captures the richness and sophistication of the Francs Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. Produced from vineyards approximately 35 to 40 years old, this wine benefits from traditional vinification followed by 12 months of barrel aging, including approximately 30% new oak. The result is a deeply colored red with expressive aromas of blackberries, dark plums, subtle smoke and warm spice. On the palate, concentrated black fruit is supported by generous tannins, mineral undertones and a long, persistent finish. Both rich and elegantly composed, this is a wine that rewards patience while offering the depth and character associated with more expensive Bordeaux appellations. Its impressive critical recognition makes it a standout selection for lovers of classic French reds.

• 92 Points — Wine Enthusiast, reviewed by Roger Voss, December 31, 2022.
• 90–92 Points — Yves Beck, May 2021 barrel assessment.
• Gold Medal — Concours de Bordeaux 2022, awarded to the 2020 vintage.

2023 Château Puyanché Blanc

The 2023 Château Puyanché Blanc is an elegant expression of white Bordeaux from the rolling hills of Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, where Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon combine to create a wine of freshness, texture and finesse. Predominantly Sauvignon Blanc, this vintage offers delicate floral aromatics, nuanced fruit character and an inviting balance of lively acidity and richness on the palate. The wine's subtle roundness and lingering finish bring sophistication without sacrificing its refreshing personality. An excellent companion to seared scallops, grilled fish and seafood, Château Puyanché Blanc demonstrates why the lesser-known appellations of Bordeaux can deliver exceptional character and quality. The 2023 vintage was recognized by France's prestigious Guide Hachette des Vins for its elegance and overall quality.

• 1 Star — Guide Hachette des Vins 2026, awarded to the 2023 vintage.
• Highly Successful Wine (Vin très réussi) — Guide Hachette's classification for its one-star wines.

2022 Château Puyanché Rouge

Château Puyanché Rouge represents the classic appeal of Bordeaux's Right Bank, where Merlot and Cabernet varieties produce wines combining generous fruit, balanced structure and approachable elegance. The 2022 vintage comes from a growing season associated with ripe, concentrated fruit across Bordeaux, making it a promising expression of the region's character. Expect a Bordeaux-inspired profile of dark cherries, blackberries and plums, complemented by subtle spice, structured tannins and a satisfying finish. Its combination of fruit richness and savory complexity makes it a natural partner for grilled meats, roast lamb, aged cheeses and traditional French cuisine. The wine reflects the Arbo family's commitment to creating accessible Bordeaux wines with a genuine sense of place.

2019 Arbo Malbec

The 2019 Arbo Malbec is a distinctive expression of one of Bordeaux's historic grape varieties, offering a refreshing alternative to the powerful Malbec wines more commonly associated with Argentina. Produced by the Arbo family from 85% Malbec and 15% Merlot, this beautifully expressive wine showcases generous aromas of blackcurrants, wild strawberries and violets, followed by inviting flavors of ripe blackberries, dark fruit and exotic spice. Notes of black pepper, cumin, cardamom and licorice add complexity, while supple tannins and a delicate mineral freshness create an elegant, satisfying finish. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel and aged for approximately 10 months in tank, the wine preserves the purity and vibrancy of its fruit. Rich in flavor yet remarkably approachable, the 2019 Arbo Malbec is an excellent companion to grilled beef, roasted pork, charcuterie and flavorful cheeses.

2023 Arbo Cabernet

The 2023 Arbo Cabernet is a youthful, characterful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux's Côtes de Bordeaux region, showcasing the depth and distinctive personality of this celebrated grape variety. Produced by Vignobles Arbo, the wine displays inviting aromas of ripe blackcurrants and licorice, with concentrated dark-fruit character and a firmly structured palate. Its youthful tannins provide backbone and aging potential, while the richness of the fruit suggests greater harmony and elegance as the wine develops in the bottle. The 2023 vintage has already attracted recognition from the respected French wine publication La Revue du Vin de France, which highlighted its ripe Cabernet character and developing structure. This is a particularly interesting selection for Cabernet Sauvignon enthusiasts seeking to explore the grape's expression beyond the more familiar appellations of Bordeaux. Pair it with grilled steak, braised beef, lamb or aged hard cheeses.

Hosted by Margaux Braadstad Arbo

We are thrilled to welcome Margaux Braadstad Arbo, a passionate Bordeaux wine expert whose remarkable experience and deep family roots in French winemaking make her an exceptional guest for this special tasting. Born and raised among the vineyards of Bordeaux, Margaux developed her love of wine at an early age, learning the art of tasting from her father, a winegrower in Francs Côtes de Bordeaux near Saint-Émilion. She spent nine years developing the American market for Twins Bordeaux, one of the region’s leading wine merchants. Today, Margaux has returned to her roots, joining her brother Dorian in managing their family winery, overseeing everything from vineyard to bottle. We are incredibly fortunate to have Margaux personally host this tasting at Corkdorks, giving our guests a rare opportunity to discover her family's exceptional Bordeaux wines firsthand, hear the stories behind each bottle, and learn from someone whose passion, expertise, and family heritage are woven into every wine she presents.

Parking: Due to limited spacing, we ask that you please do not park in the lot directly in front of Corkdorks’ store. Instead, you are welcome to park in either the lot beside the Corkdorks front lot, or in any open spot on the street. These parking options are free for attendees. Thank you for your cooperation.

All attendees will receive a $20 gift card to Corkdorks.

We do not charge a fee to attend or participate in any of our classroom events. However, because of the tremendous demand for our events, and because seating in our classroom is limited, we charge a nominal prepaid reservation fee to hold your place in the classroom. The amount of the reservation fee varies depending on the size, duration, and content of the event, but is non-refundable if you are unable to attend the event for any reason. If you prepay the reservation fee and attend the event, you will receive a Gift Card in an amount equal to the prepaid reservation fee, which can be redeemed for cash any time after the event or used to purchase merchandise in the store. No refunds. No Exceptions.