Chateau Soutard – Classified Great Growth of Saint-Emilion

Saint Emilion Grand Cru AOC

We can find the earliest traces of the estate dating from the 16th century (1513). However the story of Soutard really began with Jean Coutures who bought the property in 1699. His daughter Marie and his grandson, Jean Cambret de Faurie, never stopped building the reputation of the estate. In the 19th century, Jean Laveau, one of the most famous wine-growers in Saint-Émilion, acquired the property, which throve in his expert hands for over a quarter of the century. When he died, the land was inherited by Jeanne du Foussat de Bogeron and her husband, the agriculturalist Michel des Ligneris, in 1919. Their descendents were to manage the estate from then and until 2006, when AG2R La Mondiale, already owner of Château Larmande (Grand Cru Classé) and Château Grand Faurie La Rose (Grand Cru), took over the estate. Château Soutard then started an impressive renovation programme, giving to it a new impetus.

Grape Varieties:

63% Merlot – 28% Cabernet Franc – 7% Cabernet-Sauvignon –  2% Malbec

Vineyard:

Soil: 70% of clay and limestone plateau, 17% of clay/lime slopes and 13% of
low-lying sand/clay slopes
Surface: 30 hectares
Average age of the vineyard: 35 years

Winemaking:

Classical vinification in thermo-regulated wooden vats and double-walled tronconic stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation in barrels for 50% of the crop, before aging for 18 months in French oak barrels, with 60% new oak and 40% second-fill barrels.

Tasting Note:

This medium-bodied wine is very attractive and rich, with chewy berries and woody hints such as sap or wet earth. Well balanced with a lively freshness made of candied citrus fruit, the whole combination is very delightful until the finish.

Food Pairing:

This Saint-Emilion will enhanced a poached or grilled filet of sea bass or a Iberian ham.

Rating:

Vintage 2014 : 94 Points Wine Enthusiast

Vintage 2015 : 93 Points Wine Enthusiast – 92 Points James Suckling

Vintage 2016 : 90 Points Wine Enthusiast