2023 Chateau Soutard - St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe

Decanter.com – 94 pts – PK: *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.* - 04/2024

Falstaff Magazin – 92 pts – PM: *Dunkles Rubingranat, tiefer Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Zart nach Dörrfeigen, etwas Nugat, Brombeerkonfit klingt an, reife Pflaumen im Hintergrund. Mittlerer Körper, rotbeerige Frucht, feine Tannine, zarte Süße im Abgang, bereits entwickelt.* - 05/2024

Vinum Magazin – 93/100 pts: *Expressiv, feinwürzig, zeigt Tiefgang, dunkle Frucht; dicht gebaut, satte Frucht, körniges Tannin, salines Finish. Darf reifen.*

JancisRobinson.com – 16,5/20pts – JL: *63% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec. Cask sample. Red-fruit notes with a distinct chalky character. Elegant and poised with no extremes. Fresh and persistent, the tannins finely honed. Balanced.* - 04/2024

Vinous.com – (92-94) pts – AG: *The 2023 Soutard makes its presence known right out of the gate. A blast of dark-fleshed fruit, licorice, gravel and chocolate give the 2023 its virile, backward personality. Hints of blood orange and pomegranate add vibrancy. This is an especially big vintage for Soutard, but it all works so well. Impressive.* - 04/2024

Thewinecellarinsider.com – (93-95) pts – JL: *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.* - 05/2024