2015 Chateau Soutard displays an inky purple-tinted red colour. The nose is singular and offers spicy fragrances (curry), on an evolution of black fruits dominated by cherry and bramble fruit. This Grand Cru classé expresses a good aromatic freshness. On the palate, this Saint-Emilion is built around good sappy, well-extracted and ripped tannins, before it gradually refines on finish. This wine has strength and reproduces a delicious and fresh Merlot combined to a structuring Cabernet Franc.
The 2015 Soutard felt a little warm on the nose when I tasted the barrel sample, the inky black fruit smudged by the alcohol. The palate is medium-bodied with smooth tannin, fleshy and harmonious in the mouth, the acidity perhaps lower than its peers with attractive strawberry and candied orange peel notes surfacing on the finish. I was expecting more from this estate, although let's see if it achieves more composure once in bottle. The élevage will have to be carefully handled.