2017 Soutard
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Bright ruby colour. Bright fruit, plummy with a dash of dried herbs. Quite compact and fresh, this example is bright with fresh red fruit. There is perhaps a little too much acid, but this is admirably unforced compared with some of its peers and should drink well young. (TP)
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Soutard comes racing out of the glass with vibrant blackberries, warm blueberries and redcurrants scents, plus wafts of roses and pencil lead. Medium-bodied, the palate has loads of crunchy fruit and a seriously zippy line of freshness, finishing with a slightly chewy texture.
The 2017 Soutard has plenty of fleshy red berry fruit on the nose, the Merlot here drives along the aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with a pastille-like entry, moderate acidity with fine purity towards the finish. Maybe it just lacks a bit of personality and charm at the moment.
Made by Veronique Corporandy and from an estate that flies under the radar too often, the 2017 Chateau Soutard checks in as 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Its deep purple color is followed by a beautifully complex wine that has medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of black raspberries, white truffle, spring flowers, and chocolate spice. Textured, fabulously balanced, with ripe tannins, I'd be happy to have bottles in the cellar. It's going to start drinking nicely with just a few years of bottle age and keep for 15 years or more. This is an estate well worth following.