Chateau Soutard 2025

Jeb Dunnuck: A Merlot-dominant blend of 76% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2025 Château Soutard is beautiful. Juicy red, blue, and black fruits, graphite, crushed stone, and flowers all define the aromatics of this quintessential, medium to full-bodied, concentrated 2025. On the palate, it has ripe tannins and a great finish. It's going to spend 15 months in 50% new barrels with the balance in once-used barrels and foudre."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Soutard comes barreling out with bold notes of crushed blackberries and raspberries, followed by suggestions of wild sage, rose bud tea, and camphor with a hint of lavender. The medium-bodied palate is plush and vibrant with a racy line of freshness and a long, fragrant finish."

The Wine Cellar Insider: Black raspberries, black cherries, flowers, licorice, and espresso beans form the core of the perfume. The palate is packed with layers of fresh, almost zesty, red with black fruits. Clean, pure, and touched with the essence of minerality, the lively finish is long, soft, and juicy. The wine blends 76% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink from 2030-2050."

James Suckling: A tight and crunchy red with orange peel, berry and cherry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, racy and delicious. A very modern young Bordeaux."

Wine Advocate: Another superb effort, the 2025 Soutard appears to rival the 2023 and 2022 rendition for the title of the finest wine this estate has produced to date. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and plums mingled with hints of rose and iris, it's medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with lovely purity, refined tannins and a long, penetrating finish."

Vinum: Tiefgründig, kühl, leicht rauchig, mit Veilchen und Blutorangen im Duft; straffer Gaumen, saftig und dicht, zeigt dabei Eleganz, das Holz perfekt verpackt, sehr gut strukturiert, mit reifen, süssen Tanninen und einem langen, mineralisch geprägten Abgang. Ein hervorragender Soutard, der mit Kraft, Frische und Eleganz besticht."

Decanter: Engaging aromas where ripe plum and dark berry aromas are lifted by a streak of crunchy cranberry freshness. The palate shows a composed, mid-weight profile, never too high-toned, with integrated and unobtrusive tannins at this stage. I like the quiet precision to the structure, suggesting careful extraction and a respect for fruit purity. The élevage, with a measured use of oak, should gradually broaden the mid-palate and lend additional roundness, helping to knit the components together over time. Notably, the wine was served quite cool, which further emphasized its freshness and restraint, yet it still conveyed ample depth and underlying ripeness. Furthermore, the wine achieves a high degree of finesse and balance."

Falstaff: Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Nuancen von reifen Zwetschgen, Brombeerkonfit, etwas Vanille, einladendes, fruchtiges Bukett. Saftig, elegant, reife Pflaumen, runde Tannine, dezente Extraktsüße, anhaftend, bereits harmonisch, zeigt Potenzial."

Jane Anson: Chalky bright texture, sweet damson puree and blueberry fruits, finesse and serious structured, will soften further over ageing, needs a kiss of oak right now, which is something I rarely find myself writing."