1953 - 1990 Château Soutard

"The aim is to make long-keeping, classic wines, and the result is rather uncompromising, and needs patience from the consumer"  (David Peppercorn: Bordeaux)

"The wine is solid, dense and uncompromising. But is undeniably rich and concentrated when mature" (Clive Coates: Grands Vins)

"This is one of St-Emilions best-kept secrets. For consumers looking for wines capable of lasting 20 or more years, Soutard should be seriously considered" ( Robert Parker: Bordeaux)

I used the quotes above when I arranged my previous vertical of Château Soutard - 1950 - 1989. And after this second vertical I can, again, attest to their validity.

Flight I
1953 Château Soutard
A very refined, laid back, finely mature wine that speaks volume in a low key. The nose is elegant and deep with notes of forest floor, dried red currants, gravel and cool tobacco scents. Very fine.
The taste is cool, dry and lively with notes of dried red berries, autumn leaves, tobacco and a touch of band aid. Medium long. Very balanced. Not at the least dried out. A lovely, mature wine.
91p   (tasted 2019/01)

1955 Château Soutard
This has been stored badly somewhere along the line. The nose is big and cooked with notes of stale Coca-Cola, bakelite and sugared coffee.
The taste is warm and dried up. Short and dry. There is a fine warmth here, indicating that this could have been a fine wine if stored properly.
64p   (tasted 2019/01)

1964 Château Soutard
A dense, herbal, warm nose with notes of plums, tar, scorched earth and iron and blood. Impressive in a rich, bold way. But doesn´t have the refinement of some of the others.
The taste is taut and steady with notes of plums, tobacco, sand and stables. A very good structure. There is still some broad shouldered tannins in the finish. Very, very good but not as great as the bottle 7 years ago.
90p   (tasted 2019/01)

1966 Château Soutard
The 66 sports a delicate, classic Bordeaux nose with notes of red and black currants, cigarr box, leather and sandelwood. This I would have placed on the right bank ten times out of ten... Lovely.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of red currants, tobacco, graphite and gravel. Some herbal notes in the finish. Long and velvety. Perfectly mature. Really fine.
93p   (tasted 2019/01)

Flight II
1975 Château Soutard
The 75 was a disaster at the tasting 7 years ago, one taster calling it the worst wine he ever tasted. This bottle was gladly much better, although it displays the 75´s lack of charm. The nose is deep but somewhat muted with notes of gravel, ripening blueberries, dried up tapenade and herbs. Very good but not much joie de vivre.
The taste is tight and stubborn but has good fruit and structure. A long, distinct finish with some gravelly tannins at the end. Notes of blueberries, gravel and soot. Will surely go on for many years but will only become more rigid with every passing year.
87p   (tasted 2019/01)

1978 Château Soutard
Compared to the 75, this is a real charmer! The nose is open, mature and sweet with notes of plums, fresh stables, herbs, tar and tobacco. A very fine warmth. Round and fine.
The taste is juicy and dry at the sama time, with notes of nutmeg, plums, tobacco, autumn leaves and road dust. A long, succulent finish with just a hint of tannins at the end. Drinking perfect on this night.
93p   (tasted 2019/01)

1985 Château Soutard
The 85 is open for business with the typical sweet, care free fruit of the 85´s. It actually behaves identical to the bottle tasted 7 years ago! The nose is warm and fine with notes of plums, dark earth, tobacco and a ever so slight hint of mint. Very, very good.
The taste is round and forward with juicy tannins and notes of plums, dark chocolate, fir wood and earth. A long lasting finish with no hard edges. Drinking great.
90p   (tasted 2019/01)

1990 Château Soutard
The youngster in the line up displays a tight, concentrated nose with notes of sweet tobacco, plums, asphalt and thyme. Deep and fine. No hints of maturity, just clean, perky fruit.
The taste is sandy and structured with notes of red currants, plums, herbs, asphalt and leather. A very fine balance between the fruit, acidity and tannins. Very promising but being Soutard, this needs 10+ years in the cellar, or preferably 20 years...
91p   (tasted 2019/01)

Other vintages tasted:
1983
1997