2022 Château Soutard, Grand Cru Classé
Saint-Emilion
£204 per 6 bottle case in bond
This could very well be one of the standout values of the 2022 vintage, and its price is down slightly on the 2021. It is not a Château that I have endorsed before, but I think you should consider 2022 Château Soutard, Grand Cru Classé, Saint-Emilion. In fact, this wine was tipped to me last week in Bordeaux by a winemaker from a notable Château whom I hold in very high esteem, who told me they would be buying some for themselves without a doubt - and it wasn't the winemaker from Soutard!
In 2006, Château Soutard was purchased by La Mondiale, a large French insurance company. Their intentions were clear when they purchased adjoining Château Cadet-Piola in 2009 to increase their vineyard on the Saint-Emilion plateau to 74 hectares in one single block. There have been many changes at the estate, including the replanting of certain blocks, which have now come to fruition. Over 90% of the estate’s vineyards have been replanted in the last 15 years. They have also invested in building a new winery to elevate quality, and to aid further refinements to the winemaking.
There is a real sense of ambition here, which is understandable given the location of the vineyard. In fact, 70% of the Soutard vineyard lies on the clay-limestone plateau, 17% on the clay-rich slopes and just 13% on sandier soils – the terroir is crucial to the Chateau’s success in the dry conditions of 2022; as William Kelley commented when he tasted the 2020, ‘the water table is high here, so the estate tends to perform well in dry vintages’.
The turn-around at this estate has been evident for several years now, culminating in an exceptional 2022, which reveals superb richness of fruit allied to impressive freshness. The 2022 comes highly recommended.
2022 Château Soutard, Grand Cru Classé, Saint-Emilion
£204 per 6 bottle case in bond
93-95 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
The 2022 Soutard opens in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and plums mingled with hints of licorice and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, it's fleshy and enveloping, with a vibrant core of fruit, bright acids and sweet, powdery tannins. This revitalized estate's progress is thrilling to watch.
93 points, Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
Plum colour, vibrant edges, high floral aromatics, opens to blueberry, redcurrant, aniseed and fennel, with a sense of restraint in the tannic structure that is welcome amid the excessive heat of the year. Drink 2029-2044
Please let us know of your interest.
All the best
Simon
