Château Petit Faurie De Soutard St Emilion 2007

For those who don’t spend most of their life starring at wine labels and boring their friends with the impact of soil on viticulture, French wine can be a little confusing. Most bottles seem to have a picture of a chateau on, rarely is the grape variety listed and you’re expected to know the difference between Pouilly-Fumé and Pouilly-Fuissé. Sometimes even we feel like packing it in and just drinking beer!

Thus, for this tasting note, we’re going to shed just a little bit of light. This wine is from Saint-Emilion which is on the right bank of Bordeaux, unlike the left which is typically Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, right bank wines tend to be made up mostly of the Merlot grape. Saint-Emilion is probably the highest rated right bank region. Like most regions, the wines here fit into a hierarchy; basic wines will be labelled just Saint-Emilion, better wines will read Grand Cru and the best wines will be labelled Grand Cru Classé.

‘Wait, this wine is labelled Grand Cru Classé, that must make it a pretty big deal?’ Yes, yes it does…
In 1850 this vineyard was separated from Château Soutard, from which it takes its name. Its history is linked with Faurie, the name of a place where there was a famous battle during the Hundred Years’ War. This 8-hectare property, is located on the unique Saint-Emilion limestone plateau, close to the medieval village. Since 2017, Château Petit Faurie de Soutard has been owned by the La Mondiale Grands Crus, who also own Château Soutard.