2016 Soutard
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Soutard has a relatively simple bouquet that is missing the complexity of its peers, though it seems clean and gentle. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, grippy in the mouth but a little forced on the finish. This showed beautifully just after bottling and it may well be entering a dumbed-down phase. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Alcohol evident on the nose. Less structured than some with marked acidity. Not quite integrated yet. (JR)
The 2016 Château Soutard comes from the team of Thomas Duclos and is 63% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The vineyard is located mostly on the upper plateau and limestone soils, and the wine was raised in 60% new French oak. Deep purple-colored and loaded with notions of crushed rocks, spring flowers, violets, and sweet cassis and black raspberry fruit, it has subtle background oak, full-bodied richness and depth, and a beautiful sense of both power and elegance. It’s capable of lasting for two decades or more.