Chateau Soutard 2020

Château Soutard Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classe, Bordeaux, France, 2020

Grapes: Mostly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon & Malbec, hand picked, 30ha of vineyards mostly on the limestone plateau, 30 year average vine age, hand picked, matured 18 months in French oak (60% new)

Acquired by French insurance group La Mondiale in 2006, much-neglected Soutard is benefiting from substantial investments. There is a new winery, and 90% of the vineyards have been replanted in the last decade and a half. Just under a third of the 74 hectares of vineyards are located on Saint-Émilion's northern slope, the rest on the limestone plateau itself. Considerable progress is being made here, with the wines growing in refinement and concentration.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Flowers, 5 spice, herbs, smoke and licorice blend with the red berries and pit fruits perfectly in the bouquet. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and rich, yet light on its feet, elegant, balanced and fresh. The finish lingers with an array of ripe, red, black and blue fruits, licorice and a salinity on the backend with just a hint of cocoa that seals the deal. This is the finest vintage of Soutard I have ever tasted!"

94/100 points, Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider, March 2023

"The 2020 Soutard marks another step up for this revitalized property, which is now profiting as recently replanted blocks on prime terroirs come into production. Offering up aromas of dark berries, plums, rose petals, bay leaf and orange zest, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with terrific depth at the core, polished tannins and a long, chalky finish. What's more, it likely only hints at what's to come."

94/100 points, William Kelley, WINE ADVOCATE