Château Soutard 2024

Nicely balanced from the start, this doesn't shout in any one direction - not too sharp or too dull, it's clean and focused with a good dollop of red berry fruit, fresh acidity and grippy tannins. Well made, if not hugely exciting, but nonetheless enjoyable. A touch stalky on the finish, some dryness as well as cedar, clove and a mineral element. 7% Malbec completes the blend.

Medium-bodied, floral, fresh, and vibrant, the wine focuses you on its red berry side, with vibrant raspberries, cherries, and red plums. Elegantly styled, there is lift, and energy in the finish. Drink from 2027-2042. 91-93 Pts

An opulent, polished nose opens with soft fresh-fruit aromas, accompanied by chocolate notes. The same tenderness of red fruit (morello cherry, candied wild strawberry) comes through on the palate, with a fluid, satiny texture. A pleasing acidity energizes the wine.

The nose is fresh, mineral, with a touch of graphene, hints of cornflower, and a fine aromatic darkness. It reveals notes of blackberry and violet, and more subtly blueberry, combined with touches of fleshy strawberry, as well as hints of graphene, a discreet hint of lilac, fleshy black cherry, and a certain aromatic depth. Indulgent. The palate is beautifully guided, supple, juicy and gourmand. It shows suppleness, indulgence, delicacy, an airy, precise feel, accuracy and tension. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackcurrant and juicy/bright black cherry, combined with touches of fresh raspberry, as well as hints of lilac and cornflower, fine notes of small bright red fruits, chocolate and ripe toasted hazelnut. A lovely gentle chew and a fine velvety feel on the finish. Freshness, suppleness, energy, a lovely tang and purity of fruit. A wine offering a fine aromatic darkness and great energy.

Bright fruits, plenty of limestone grip, white blossoms, lemongrass, steely character, white plum and cherry pit, has charm and a wave of gentle gunsmoke. Austere as so many are in the vintage on this soil type. Understated, savoury, soft landings.

Wine much thinner than expected! Tasted three times in the same way. Blend: 55% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Malbec.