Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion

The Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion appellation is one of the so-called "satellite" appellations of Saint-Emilion, located about 50 kilometers east of Bordeaux, northeast of Saint-Emilion on the right bank of the Dordogne River. Granted an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) on November 14, 1936, only wines harvested within the territory of the commune of Puisseguin may bear this designation. The production area covers approximately 750 hectares, yielding about 35,000 hectoliters per year.

The Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion vineyard is planted on soils that are primarily clay-limestone, sometimes mixed with silty sand. Located north and northeast of Saint-Emilion, the Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion vineyard benefits from a favorable south-to-southeast exposure. The entire site rests on a stony, porous substrate that ensures good water supply to the vines, even during dry periods. Generally speaking, winters are mild, summers are hot, and autumns are long and sunny. The vineyard thus offers all the conditions necessary for harvesting perfectly ripe, healthy, and concentrated grapes.

The appellation produces exclusively red wines from the CabernetFranc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grape varieties. It is a high-quality appellation, with production yields set at 45 hectoliters per hectare. The AOC decree for Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion wines also permits the use of two other grape varieties: Malbec (or Côt) and Carménère, though only Malbec is still used on a very limited basis. On the palate, Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion wines charm with their full-bodied, luscious texture, which is never heavy. The tannins are prominent but finely integrated, ensuring good aging potential. The wines of Château Rigaud and Château Langlais attest to this.