Château Dubard, Bel-Air Puisseguin Saint-Émilion, 2022

A charming wine, full of ripe plum and blueberry fruit, supported by toasty oak. Ample-textured, with juicy fruit balanced by firm tannins and great structure. Vineyards to the north of Saint Émilion are situated on a calcareous plateau that overlooks the Dordogne valley. The soils of Puisseguin Saint Émilion can be distinguished by their especially high lime content. The 8.34 hectare Bel-Air vineyard is owned by the Dubard family of Bergerac. The 'satellite' areas of Lussac and Puisseguin produce wines that are virtually impossible to tell apart from Saint Émilion proper, and are frequently exceptional value for money.