Chateau Soutard 2023

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feines Edelholz, zart nach Lakritze, etwas Weichsel, rote Waldbeeren, einladendes Bukett. Saftig, hochelegant, finessenreicher Säurebogen, seidige Tannine, mineralisch und lange anhaftend, ein delikater Wein von Länge, Präzision und Potenzial, ein anmutiger Speisenbegleiter."

JAMES SUCKLING: "The concentration of fruit here is formidable, with blackberries, blueberries and hints of cedar and flowers. Full-bodied, yet with a refined and polished texture and a flavorful finish. Cool character to this."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2023 Soutard is likely to rival or even surpass the brilliant 2022. Offering up aromas of mulberries, raspberries and plums mingled with hints of violet, licorice and spice, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a dense and seamless core of vibrant, perfumed fruit and a long, mineral finish. As restructured parcels return to production, Soutard is increasingly emerging as one of Saint-Émilion's finest estates."

DECANTER: "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 3.48pH balancing the 14% alcohol. Ageing in 50% new oak will increase a sense of palate breadth."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Licorice, flowers, black cherries, and chocolate define the core of this wine. The wine is elegant, creamy, fresh, pure, and precise, The finish combines silky tannins, crushed stones, and fresh, red fruits. Drink from 2026-2047."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Very young and unevolved both times I was able to taste it, the inky hued 2023 Château Soutard offers a ripe, powerful nose of mineral-laced red and blue fruits as well as ample scorched earth, violets, graphite, and floral nuances. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and textured, with a brilliant sense of minerality, it has the concentration and structure to warrant a solid 4-5 years of bottle age. The quality at this château continues to skyrocket."

VINUM: "Expressiv, feinwürzig, zeigt Tiefgang, dunkle Frucht; dicht gebaut, satte Frucht, körniges Tannin, salines Finish. Darf reifen."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "The 2023 Soutard is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a lot of swirling to unlock notes of juicy plums and blackberry preserves, followed by nuances of Sichuan pepper, violets, and black olives. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is plush and juicy, with fantastic tension and a fragrant finish."