Les Jardins de Soutard, St Emilion 2004

In keeping with our anti bin-end stance (generally a vehicle to sell underperforming wines that don’t inspire the public or, indeed, the sales teams) we have picked up a parcel of stonking-good Saint Emilion wine that if not for an administrative error would have sold for twice the asking price!


In 2004, the Saint Emilion Grand Cru property of Chateau Soutard did not register its wine in time for the GC classifications (not largely surprising considering the well documented internal wranglings) and as a result did not produce either its first wine nor its usual second wine. Instead, the owner decided to produce only one new wine, Les Jardins de Soutard, and to offer it as a regular Saint Emilion. This has given us the opportunity to offer a Classified Growth quality wine at the price of a petit château. A must buy.


I have been following this property since the mid 1990s and I have sampled almost every vintage since 1988 at least once. The quality of Jardins de Soutard is certainly as good as many previous vintages of the château wine itself, Indeed, this is a very classic Chateau Soutard somewhere between Soutard 2002 and Soutard 2001. And as you may know, Soutard’s style is the opposite of the new wave Saint Emilions (like Chateau Monbousquet for example) relying on less weight and intensity and more on structure and elegance. However, you must know that Jardins de Soutard is a mix of Soutard proper and its usual second wine. So, Jardins de Soutard is probably less powerful and concentrated than what Soutard would have been.


Jardins de Soutard 2004 is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon with a very elegant style, along with a pleasant and long finish. It is beautifully balanced and just 13% abv.


Chateau Soutard 2002 currently sells for £300 per dozen so we are delighted to be able to offer this one-off at just £180.

We have 50 cases available on a first come – first served basis. Drink from 2008 – 2012.