Soutard - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022

Alexandre Ma

93

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

Given Château Soutard’s traditionally robust structure, I initially expected the 2022 vintage, shaped by high temperatures, to exhibit intense muscularity. However, as the sweet and supple wine gently brushed my palate and the fragrance of roses lingered, I realized that Château Soutard had entered a bold new chapter. The once-powerful tannins of this wine have taken on an unexpectedly silky texture, almost ethereal as they linger in the mouth. The previously dominant toasted notes have vanished, replaced by the bright and vibrant aromas of crabapple, raspberry, and strawberry that flow effortlessly from start to finish. The 2022 vintage of Château Soutard offers a refreshingly new experience, leaving me even more eager for what its future holds.

Wine Advocate

95

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

The 2022 Soutard has turned out beautifully, unfurling in the glass with aromas of sweet dark berries, licorice mint and bay leaf. Medium to full-bodied, cool and layered, it's velvety and enveloping, with bright acids, sweet tannins and a long, polished finish. This estate on the edge of Saint-Emilion's limestone plateau is enjoying a notable renaissance, and this is a wine to seek out.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Unusual to have Malbec on the Right Bank, reflected in the depth of colour here, with a rich plum purple, edged with violet, fragrant on the opening more white pepper than black, with red cherry and damson fruit, good quality, plenty of lift. 60% new oak for ageing.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Soutard, Château

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

A blend of 76% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Malbec, the 2022 Château Soutard reveals cassis, blackcurrants, violets, spice, and beautiful minerality. Fresh and focused, it’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and balanced, with fine tannins and stunning elegance. Count me in as a fan, and it should evolve well for 20+ years. This is a château to watch.

Yvesbeck.wine

95

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

76% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec Subtiles nuances de cerises et de framboises dans le bouquet de Soutard qui regorge d'énergie, de lumière, mais aussi de profondeur. Les annonces du bouquet sont bien assimilées par le palais. Ce dernier affiche un vin linéaire, précis, d'excellente définition qui crée le lien entre élégance, fraîcheur et vigueur. Un Soutard détaillé et persistant. 2026-2047 95/100

Vinous

88

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Soutard still comes across overripe on the nose, with prune and raisin infusing black fruit. The palate is ripe and candied, very sweet and raisined, and thus lacks some freshness on the finish. The 2022 has been pushed too hard.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Pronounced dark plum and berry character with bark and dark chocolate. It’s medium-bodied with an integrated tannin structure and a wet earth, violet and berry finish. Drink in three or four years. Try after 2028.

Vinous

95

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Soutard is fabulous. Blue-toned fruit, lavender, licorice, mocha and a kiss of French oak meld together in the glass, all wrapped in silky tannins. A wine of elegance and understated depth, the 2022 is very, very pretty. Red-toned fruit, blood orange, chalk and white pepper build into the taut, chiseled finish.

Decanter.com

93

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Bright and lively, a lovely energy to this with clear strawberry, red cherry and raspberry fruit. Straightforward, really so light and delicate, a different style to many, with the focus on clarity and purity rather than tannic density. Very controlled, it will be interesting to see how it ages as it's quite light and lean, but I love the easy gentle enjoyment to be had here. Very good. 6% Malbec completes the blend. Harvest 1-21 September. Ageing in French oak, 50% new, 25% one year old, 25% two years old.

Vinous

89-91

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Soutard feels a little overripe on the nose with cassis, inkwell and blueberry aromas. It needs a little more complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with softer, more pliant tannins that some of its peers, plush on the finish with a sweet aftertaste.

The Vintage Journal

91-92

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Deep crimson. Ripe blackberry, dark plum, mulberry aromas with hints of mocha. Generously concentrated blackberry, dark plum, mulberry fruits, fine lacy/ loosknit tannins, attractive mid-palate volume and fresh crispy acidity. (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec. Roughly 60% new oak.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe5/16/2023

Plum colour, vibrant edges, high floral aromatics, opens to blueberry, redcurrant, aniseed and fennel, with a sense of restraint in the tannic structure that is welcome amid the excessive heat of the year. Tasted twice (first sample showed volatile acidity).

matthewjukes.com

17,5

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

92-94

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Soutard comes bounding out with exuberant notes of blueberry compote, preserved plums, and Morello cherries, leading to hints of lavender and licorice. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with black fruit preserves and floral layers with a velvety texture and racy backbone, finishing long and fragrant.

Yvesbeck.wine

95-96

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Que de précision et de définition dans le bouquet de Soutard. La notion HD est bien là, très haute pixellisation ! Ainsi, il révèle une multitude de nuances, sans qu'il ait un marqueur particulier, mis à part que c'est très invitant ! Produire un 2022 avec autant de finesse, aussi bien valoriser ce côté aérien, une finesse assumée et, finalement, une puissance pertinente, soulève le grand travail de fond réalisé par Véronique Corporandy, la directrice technique, et ses équipes. C'est certainement, à ce jour, un des plus grands Soutard. Peut-être pas le plus puissant, mais le plus élégant !

Bettane & Desseauve

94-95

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

Un vin qui se met en place avec du fond, de la générosité et de la fraîcheur. Belle réussite dans ce millésime.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93-95

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

The deep purple-hued (it's almost blue) 2022 Château Soutard is going to be up there with the top vintages from this château, which has a great terroir just outside the village of Saint-Emilion. Candied violets, chocolate, crushed stone, and blue fruits define the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a great mid-palate, ripe yet present tannins, and a terrific sense of freshness that keeps this interesting and light on its feet. It's going to evolve gracefully.

Vinous

93-95

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Soutard is a hugely promising wine. Rich, ample and statuesque in bearing, the 2022 is super impressive. Dark fleshed fruit, mocha, spice, licorice, menthol and espresso all build in a Saint-Émilion that shows tremendous delineation and class for such an extreme vintage. I very much admire the energy here. Tasted two times. Drinking window : 2028-2047

The Wine Independent

92-94

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/8/2023

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Soutard comes bounding out with exuberant notes of blueberry compote, preserved plums, and Morello cherries, leading to hints of lavender and licorice. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with black fruit preserves and floral layers with a velvety texture and racy backbone, finishing long and fragrant.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

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.

Wine Advocate

93-95

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

The 2022 Soutard opens in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and plums mingled with hints of licorice and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, it's fleshy and enveloping, with a vibrant core of fruit, bright acids and sweet, powdery tannins. This revitalized estate's progress is thrilling to watch.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

Medium to full body with tight and polished tannins, with a chalky character to the whole thing. Blue fruit with blackberries and stones.