Château Soutard

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.

Tasted blind. Dark crimson. Fresh, lively nose. Rich and racy. Complete and well balanced with real vitality.

A juicy and layered red with chocolate and berry character. Some wet-earth and pine-needle undertones. Medium to full body and round and velvety tannins. Delicious already but better in 2020.