Overlooking the Dordogne valley in a village two miles east of Saint-Émilion, this pretty vineyard is planted on a clay-limestone slope thanks to which the northern and eastern parcels enjoy perfect morning sunshine. Château Puy-Blanquet was known as one of the best Saint-Émilion Grand Crus as early as the 19th century, and was awarded a part of the collective gold medal bestowed upon a selection of Saint-Émilion chateaux at the Paris Exposition of 1889. Today the vineyard is owned by the Jacquet family and managed by Pierre Meunier, who was trained by Ets. Jean-Pierre Moueix, with a real respect for tradition and quality. Soils are ploughed in order to ensure deeper root systems; green harvest, leaf-cropping, and harvests are done by hand. Thermo-regulated concrete tanks ensure well-controlled fermentations. The wines are fresh and generous and can be enjoyed after just a two or three years of cellaring.