Château Soutard 2021

The 2021 Soutard unwinds in the glass with aromas of dark berries, plums and spices mingled with hints of violet and iris. Medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, it's deep and layered, with an impressively concentrated core of pure, vibrant fruit that's framed by sweet, powdery tannins and integrated acids. Transcending the vintage, this property's relentless upward trajectory continues.

Super perfumed on the nose. Sappy acidity with a pretty sleek and lean core, sharp but then softens and settles with an easiness about it. Not too sharp or too dry, balanced. Well presented with finesse and still mouthwatering on the final flavour which is enjoyable. Fun and lifted.

The 2021 Soutard has such a potent peppermint scent on the nose that it obscures the terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly dry tannins and moderate complexity. Dried blood and black pepper mix with cloves toward the finish. This just feels a little austere compared to its barrel showing, though it's not bad and will drink over the medium term.

Red and black plums, spice, smoke, licorice, espresso and flowers produce an engaging perfume. The palate, with its layers of red fruits, soft, refined, creamy textures and cherries, tastes and feels great. The wine is a blend of 70% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec. Drink from 2024-2038.

Deep ruby with purple reflections at the rim. Delicate nougat, dark wild berries, a hint of liquorice, underpinned with noble wood spices. Medium-bodied, red cherry fruit, fine tannins, fresh, good structure, light salty note on the finish; versatile.

From a château that seems to have hit a new level recently, the 2021 Château Soutard is based on 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Malbec, all from vines just north of the village. Beautiful black and blue fruits, graphite, subtle tobacco, and a crushed stone-like minerality define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, with a seamless, layered mouthfeel and ripe, integrated tannins. I finished my note with "Love it." Give it a few years and enjoy over the following 15+.

Kunz barrel sample 2022: (70% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 35 hl/ha, 13% vol. alcohol, production 65,000 bottles) Floral, medium-bodied bouquet, cherries, blackberries, roasted notes. Fruity, velvety palate with good fruit, loose-knit structure, fine sandy tannins, spicy aromatics, light finish. Has room to improve.

Austere, very much a wine with its feet in limestone, with salty cracker notes and sculpted blueberry and raspberry fruits. Attractive, subdued, austere, but with a very attractive balance, promising plenty of pleasure over the medium term. Yield of 35 hl/ha.

A blend of 70% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Malbec, the 2021 Soutard has a deep garnet-purple color. Scents of blackberry pie, juicy plums, and spice cake jump from the glass, leading to hints of mossy stones and fragrant earth. Medium-bodied, the palate is plush and lively, with delicate black fruit layers and a spicy finish.

The sappy, very alluring nose heralds a playful, charming palate with tart little red fruits (redcurrants, raspberries) and a floral sap character, like a little sprite wandering through the woods. The finish is nicely fresh, yet with a gourmand touch. A wine for modern palates.

The bouquet of Soutard 2021 stands out for its pixelated, HD character. It is indeed the high definition and detail that set it apart and, in passing, highlight that the estate is constantly evolving. Fresh and succulent, the wine is above all linear. Its tannins provide muscle, ideally supported by the acidic framework; they ensure a solid backbone and favor the aromatic persistence on the finish. A slightly saline wine, with good density and the structure needed to stand the test of the years to come.

Dark, deep color. Very aromatic nose with pure, ripe, subtle fruit and a light touch of vanilla. Delicate on the attack, very tasty mid-palate, with a melting texture and no sharpness for a north-facing vineyard; the wine develops with fragrance toward a flavorful finish with a lovely aromatic structure. Note that for now, the press wine is not part of the blend, which could add extra presence on the finish. Blend: 70% merlot, 18% cabernet franc, 7% cabernet sauvignon, 5% malbec. Alcohol: 13% - pH: 3.47.

(70% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 35 hl/ha, 13% vol. alcohol, production 65,000 bottles) Floral, medium-bodied bouquet, cherries, blackberries, toasted notes. Fruity, velvety palate with good fruit, a loose-knit structure, fine sandy tannins, spicy aromatics, light finish. Has room to improve. 16/20 2026 - 2038