Chateau Soutard St. Emilion Bordeaux, Complete Guide

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Learn everything about Chateau Soutard St. Emilion with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Soutard History, Overview

Chateau Soutard is one of the oldest estates in the Right Bank as it dates all the way back to 1513. In those days, the estate was used as a farm and mill. This was well before Soutard became known as a Bordeaux wine producer. Chateau Soutard began earning fame as a Saint Emilion vineyard in the middle of the 18th century.

It was during those early days that Chateau Soutard first began practicing the novel approach of planting vineyards in rows. While it’s natural for us today, 300 years ago, it was less common in the Right Bank, when things were more primitive.

The 18th-century chateau is one the largest and most regal chateaux in all of Saint Emilion. In fact, it would not be at all out of place among the best chateaux in the Medoc!

During the 20th century, Chateau Soutard remained the property of the same family, the de Bogeron’s. In fact, the de Bogeron family managed Chateau Soutard from 1890 until 2006.

In 2006, Chateau Soutard went from being a family-owned estate, to part of a large, corporate empire when it was purchased by La Mondiale, the French insurance company.

La Mondiale was already well-versed in the Bordeaux wine trade at the time of the transaction, as they already owned Chateau Larmande and Chateau Grand Faurie.

The new owners quickly began bringing the estate up to date with a massive construction project. Until 2014, Chateau Soutard was managed by Claire Thomas Chenard with the help of their consultant Michel Rolland. Claire Thomas Chenard is no longer with the estate.

Soutard Vat Room

Chateau Soutard Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 30 hectare St. Emilion vineyard of Chateau Soutard is planted to 63% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Malbec. The vineyard has a terroir of limestone, clay, and sandy soils with gentle hillside slopes on their best terroir.

The topsoil is thin, before you reach a hard limestone soil, just before the surface. The vines are on average, 35 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,500 vines per hectare.

The wine is vinified in gleaming, new, stainless steel vats of various sizes. The wine is aged in an average of 60% new, French oak barrels for 18 months. There is a second wine, Jardins de Soutard. Close to 12,000 cases of Bordeaux wine are produced by Chateau Soutard in an average vintage. There is a second wine, Jardins de Soutard.

The Best Vintages of Chateau Soutard are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

Chateau Soutard was completely renovated and modernized from top to bottom for all its wine-making facilities, vat rooms, and cellars. The new design was created by the well-known architect, Fabien Pedelaborde who followed that up with his work at Chateau Marquis dAleseme in Margaux.

The work on Chateau Soutard created a new, state-of-the-art, gravity-fed, wine-making facility complete with glass elevators transporting you to the cellars. The construction project was finished in time for the 2011 harvest.

The new, larger vineyard of Chateau Soutard was just increased in size following the results of the 2012 St. Emilion classification. The increase in vines came from the addition of land from Chateau Cadet Piola, which was merged into Chateau Soutard. Chateau Soutard is located not far from the village of St. Emilion.

When to Drink Chateau Soutard, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Soutard is better with at least 4-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. Chateau Soutard is best enjoyed in the first 5-20 years of life.

Young vintages can be decanted for about 1 hour to 90 minutes. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Serving Chateau Soutard with Wine, Food, and Pairing Tips

Chateau Soutard is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Soutard is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Soutard is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

www.chateau-soutard.com

Château Soutard Wine Tasting Notes

18 Vintages 67,629 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
95
The color is shiny black, purple. On the palate, the wine is powerful, concentrated, dark, and deep, with multiple layers of chocolate-coated plums, blackberries, licorice and spice. The wine is sensuous, opulent, and rich. The finish allows you to linger with all of its layers of chocolate and black fruits. This could be the finest vintage of Soutard ever produced! 76% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% whole-bunch, fermented Malbec makes the blend. Drink from 2026-2047. 94-96 Pts.

The color is shiny black, purple. On the palate, the wine is powerful, concentrated, dark, and deep, with multiple layers of chocolate-coated plums, blackberries, licorice and spice. The wine is sensuous, opulent, and rich. The finish allows you to linger with all of its layers of chocolate and black fruits. This could be the finest vintage of Soutard ever produced! 76% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% whole-bunch, fermented Malbec makes the blend. Drink from 2026-2047. 94-96 Pts.

2,218 Views   Tasted
2021
93
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.

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.

174 Views   Tasted
Showing a nice depth of color, the wine is soft, round, polished, rich and fruity, with silky tannins and freshness from start to finish. The creamy finish leaves you with a touch of spice in the endnote. The wine is a blend of 70% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec. Drink from 2024-2040. 92-94

Showing a nice depth of color, the wine is soft, round, polished, rich and fruity, with silky tannins and freshness from start to finish. The creamy finish leaves you with a touch of spice in the endnote. The wine is a blend of 70% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec. Drink from 2024-2040. 92-94

1,619 Views   Tasted
2020
94
Flowers, 5 spice, herbs, smoke and licorice blend with the red berries and pit fruits perfectly in the bouquet. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and rich, yet light on its feet, elegant, balanced and fresh. The finish lingers with an array of ripe, red, black and blue fruits, licorice and a salinity on the backend with just a hint of cocoa that seals the deal. This is the finest vintage of Soutard I have ever tasted! Drink from 2025-2045.

Flowers, 5 spice, herbs, smoke and licorice blend with the red berries and pit fruits perfectly in the bouquet. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and rich, yet light on its feet, elegant, balanced and fresh. The finish lingers with an array of ripe, red, black and blue fruits, licorice and a salinity on the backend with just a hint of cocoa that seals the deal. This is the finest vintage of Soutard I have ever tasted! Drink from 2025-2045.

1,555 Views   Tasted
The complex set of aromatics opens with 5 spice, smoke, licorice, tobacco leaf, chocolate and blackberry liqueur notes. Full-bodied, lush, opulent and silky, the wine is deep, concentrated and rich, yet light on its feet, elegant, balanced and fresh. The finish lingers with an array of ripe, red, black and blue fruits, licorice and toasty oak. There is a lot going on here, so give it some time to come together, maybe 6 years or more. 93-95 Pts

The complex set of aromatics opens with 5 spice, smoke, licorice, tobacco leaf, chocolate and blackberry liqueur notes. Full-bodied, lush, opulent and silky, the wine is deep, concentrated and rich, yet light on its feet, elegant, balanced and fresh. The finish lingers with an array of ripe, red, black and blue fruits, licorice and toasty oak. There is a lot going on here, so give it some time to come together, maybe 6 years or more. 93-95 Pts

2,285 Views   Tasted
2019
95
Full-bodied, rich, lush, silky and vibrant, the wine is packed to the gills with layers of earthy, dark red fruits, flowers, freshness and purity. Elegant in style, the wine is medium-bodied, refined and clean, with a beautiful purity of fruit that shines. This is the finest vintage of Soutard I have ever tasted! Drink from 2024, 2050.

Full-bodied, rich, lush, silky and vibrant, the wine is packed to the gills with layers of earthy, dark red fruits, flowers, freshness and purity. Elegant in style, the wine is medium-bodied, refined and clean, with a beautiful purity of fruit that shines. This is the finest vintage of Soutard I have ever tasted! Drink from 2024, 2050.

1,833 Views   Tasted
2018
93
Showing much better in bottle than in barrel, the wine is medium/full-bodied, soft, silky, elegant and fresh. The fruit is sweet, pure, refined, long and lifted, with good length and vibrancy in the finish. The wine is a blend of 61% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Malbec.

Showing much better in bottle than in barrel, the wine is medium/full-bodied, soft, silky, elegant and fresh. The fruit is sweet, pure, refined, long and lifted, with good length and vibrancy in the finish. The wine is a blend of 61% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Malbec.

2,952 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, fresh, stony and fruity, the wine is round and fleshy with an herb, tobacco leaf and licorice accent on top of the red berries in the finish. 89-91 Pts

Medium-bodied, fresh, stony and fruity, the wine is round and fleshy with an herb, tobacco leaf and licorice accent on top of the red berries in the finish. 89-91 Pts

2,714 Views   Tasted
2017
90
Fennel, cherry and cocoa aromas blend with luscious, red fruits, soft but present tannins and a crisp, bright, red berry finish

Fennel, cherry and cocoa aromas blend with luscious, red fruits, soft but present tannins and a crisp, bright, red berry finish

2,259 Views   Tasted
2016
90
A touch of oak on the nose brings you to the licorice and red fruits. The wine is soft, medium bodied, open and finishes with sweet red cherries.

A touch of oak on the nose brings you to the licorice and red fruits. The wine is soft, medium bodied, open and finishes with sweet red cherries.

3,639 Views   Tasted
An attractively deep color, there is a saline quality to the tannins with ripe, dark red berries and ample flesh. The wine starts out well, with good texture, volume, and sweet, fruit, but as hard as it tries, it falls a bit short in the finish.

An attractively deep color, there is a saline quality to the tannins with ripe, dark red berries and ample flesh. The wine starts out well, with good texture, volume, and sweet, fruit, but as hard as it tries, it falls a bit short in the finish.

3,451 Views   Tasted
2015
90
Floral notes meld with black raspberries, licorice, espresso and dark chocolate giving the wine its character. The wine has soft tannins and an approachable, forward personality.

Floral notes meld with black raspberries, licorice, espresso and dark chocolate giving the wine its character. The wine has soft tannins and an approachable, forward personality.

3,306 Views   Tasted
Flowery with fresh, vibrant, sweet black raspberries, licorice, espresso, soft tannins and an approachable personality.

Flowery with fresh, vibrant, sweet black raspberries, licorice, espresso, soft tannins and an approachable personality.

3,091 Views   Tasted
2014
89
Floral aromas, paired with fresh red berries and licorice on the nose, this elegant medium-bodied wine carries the red fruit theme all the way through to the finish. 88-90 Pts

Floral aromas, paired with fresh red berries and licorice on the nose, this elegant medium-bodied wine carries the red fruit theme all the way through to the finish. 88-90 Pts

3,375 Views   Tasted
2013
88
Truffle and black raspberries make an appearance once past the initial oak in the nose. Medium bodied and easy to drink with sweet red cherries and spice in the middle, this wine will be enjoyable in its youth. 88-90 Pts

Truffle and black raspberries make an appearance once past the initial oak in the nose. Medium bodied and easy to drink with sweet red cherries and spice in the middle, this wine will be enjoyable in its youth. 88-90 Pts

2,067 Views   Tasted
2012
89
Coffee bean, jammy cherries, licorice, truffle and blackberry notes open to a dark cherry, stone and licorice filled wine with a sweet, kirsch finish. 87-90 Pts

Coffee bean, jammy cherries, licorice, truffle and blackberry notes open to a dark cherry, stone and licorice filled wine with a sweet, kirsch finish. 87-90 Pts

3,285 Views   Tasted
2011
90
From 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.5% ABV. Fennel, truffle and black raspberry can be found in this medium-bodied wine with a cherry-filled, round finish. 90-91 Pts

From 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.5% ABV. Fennel, truffle and black raspberry can be found in this medium-bodied wine with a cherry-filled, round finish. 90-91 Pts

3,020 Views   Tasted
2010
88
2010 Soutard Using 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, this medium bodied, licorice, earth and black raspberry tinged wine offers soft textures and a black cherry finish. 87-89 Pts

2010 Soutard Using 65% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, this medium bodied, licorice, earth and black raspberry tinged wine offers soft textures and a black cherry finish. 87-89 Pts

4,711 Views   Tasted
2009
90
Coffee, licorice, black raspberry and strawberry notes lead to a medium bodied, fresh,soft textured red and dark berry filled, St. Emilion wine.

Coffee, licorice, black raspberry and strawberry notes lead to a medium bodied, fresh,soft textured red and dark berry filled, St. Emilion wine.

5,279 Views   Tasted
2008
88
Tannic, oaky, bright red fruits, espresso, licorice and a lot of freshness on the nose and palate. The wine should age well, but perhaps without a lot of charm.

Tannic, oaky, bright red fruits, espresso, licorice and a lot of freshness on the nose and palate. The wine should age well, but perhaps without a lot of charm.

2,924 Views   Tasted
2006
86
Fresh, bright, crisp, firm, classic styled wine with oak, juicy plums, licorice and tobacco leaf notes on the nose and palate.

Fresh, bright, crisp, firm, classic styled wine with oak, juicy plums, licorice and tobacco leaf notes on the nose and palate.

1,985 Views   Tasted
2005
85
Medium bodied, ripe, forward, already developed wine with a licorice, earth and cherry personality. Soft, ready to drink, but without complexity or distinction.

Medium bodied, ripe, forward, already developed wine with a licorice, earth and cherry personality. Soft, ready to drink, but without complexity or distinction.

5,926 Views   Tasted
2000
88
Firm, strict, hard style of wine that is better on the floral, cherry, thyme and earthy, smoky nose than on the still, tannic, , crisp, palate. It's interesting that although they want to produce a modern, styled wine, this is really more in the old school, classic vein.

Firm, strict, hard style of wine that is better on the floral, cherry, thyme and earthy, smoky nose than on the still, tannic, , crisp, palate. It's interesting that although they want to produce a modern, styled wine, this is really more in the old school, classic vein.

3,961 Views   Tasted