Château Soutard 2025

Château Soutard sits a few metres from the historic centre of Saint-Émilion in Bordeaux, an estate within the Grand Cru Classé tier of this right-bank appellation. The wine is a classic right-bank blend led by Merlot with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a little Malbec. The plateau and slopes around the town carry limestone bedrock with clay above, soils that suit Merlot and lend the wines their depth, freshness and savoury, mineral line. The maritime-influenced climate ripens the early Merlot reliably while the Cabernets add structure and aromatic lift. After fermentation the wine completes malolactic conversion to soften acidity, then ages eighteen months in French oak, the long barrel time drawing slow oxygen through the staves to stabilise colour, refine tannin and add cedar, vanilla and a light toast. The wine shows a deep ruby colour. The nose offers ripe plum, black cherry and redcurrant over cedar, tobacco and an earthy undertone, and the palate is medium to full, with fine-grained tannin, fresh acidity and a long, elegant finish. Serve at 16 to 18C and decant. It suits roast lamb, beef and game.