Château Soutard 2023

Expressive, finely spicy, shows depth, dark fruit; densely built, generous fruit, grainy tannins, saline finish. Can age.

One of the oldest properties in St-Emilion, this 35ha vineyard is one of the most representative wines on the limestone plateau, and it does not disappoint in 2023, with pleasing plum and blackberry fruit and floral notes. Very expressive with spice on the palate, it displays depth and both red and dark fruit (reflecting a long harvest from 5 September to 6 October) with a balanced sense of concentration, salinity and tannic finesse, the low 3.48 pH balancing the 14% alcohol. Ageing in 50% new oak will increase a sense of palate breadth.

The 2023 Soutard turned out well. Rose petal, lavender, blood orange and dark raspberry open first. Elegant and lifted, with gorgeous precision, Soutard is just as expressive as it was last year. Vibrant mineral notes extend the long, brilliant finish. This is such a pretty, elegant wine.

Chocolate, cherries, licorice, espresso and mint define the core of this wine. On the palate, the wine is supple, juicy, fresh, creamy, vibrant, and long, with an elegant, juicy, fruit and mineral packed finish. Give it just a year or two in the bottle and it is going to be even better. Drink from 2027-2047.

Dark ruby, deep core, purple reflections, brightening on the rim. Delicate notes of dried figs, some nougat, hints of blackberryish confit, ripe plums in the background. Medium body, red berryish fruit, fine tannins, delicate fruit expression on the finish, already accessible.

Well-built tannins, clear architecture, oyster-shell salinity and pumice-stone grip that make it clear we’re on limestone soils here. Black cherry, sage and white pepper, rose bud, has character but not quite the lift-off found here in the 2022 vintage.

The nose is pleasantly fresh and mineral, with fresh, elegant fruit, lovely finesse, precision, and a pure grain. It reveals notes of fresh boysenberry, fresh violet, and, more subtly, ripe/fresh wild red berries, with touches of lily, lilac, and graphite, as well as a hint of infusion, almost fresh pomace, and a subtle touch of spice, with a certain density that doesn’t show. The palate is fruity, offering juiciness, indulgence, a nice slight mellowness, sapidity, and a zesty backbone. It shows notes of juicy/pulpy blackberry, vibrant blackcurrant, and, more subtly, vibrant raspberry, joined by touches of cornflower and lily, as well as fine hints of small red berries, sweet blond tobacco, star anise, and a discreet hint of salinity. A lovely little basket of fresh fruit on the finish, with fine hints of sweet tobacco and chocolate. Good length.

Score: 92–94. Fruity sweetness, floral delicacy—everything is in place in a charming bouquet, very classic yet so appealing. Tender and creamy on the palate, with a delightful tangy fruit that gradually gains in intensity, filling every corner of the mouth with bright, juicy substance. Very pretty.