Château Soutard — Attraction in Libourne

Château Soutard was the first of two wineries I visited on my wine tour with Bordovino. They are a larger winery, but not quite flashy as some of these proud Bordeaux Châteaus can be.

For those that care, Soutard has rating of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé. Our tour guide explained this was the third of three possible tiers, but even being in the lowest tier puts them in the top 10% of wineries in the Right Bank. Many more wines can qualify for the Grand Cru label but not all are created equal.

The outside facilities looked deceptively plain, but the inside was where it was at. The highlight was riding a gigantic silent glass elevator for transporting barrels underground which they affectionately called "James Bond."

Our guide led us on a thorough one hour tour, capped off with a tasting of two reds in their downstairs tasting room. After the tasting, we were free to browse the upstairs tasting room and shop. I liked that they didn't push any bottles on us.

While I enjoyed the tour, the two wines I tried didn't call out to me. Maybe I'm biased, but top Napa Valley spots are producing Bordeaux style wines that rival the French. Overall though, this detailed tour was good for those wanting a view into the strict process for Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé...

This is not a wine tasting — it’s a scam

We've never had a more disgraceful "experience." For €35 per person, we were basically ripped off. They brought us to some barrels without saying a single word — no introduction, no explanation, nothing about the winery, the grapes, or the winemaking process. Then they led us into a small, stuffy room and poured us three glasses in total silence. No details about the wines, just the vintage — as if we were on some kind of assembly line. The whole thing lasted five minutes, because they were clearly in a rush. At the end, we were literally told: “Leave your glasses, you have five minutes”, and they walked out. No joke.

This wasn't just unprofessional — it was a complete disrespect for people and for wine. They clearly just exploit tourists, assuming no one will ever come back.

If you value your time, money, or have even the slightest interest in wine — avoid this place at all costs. Absolute bottom of the barrel.

Ce n’est pas une dégustation — c’est une arnaque.

Nous n’avons jamais vécu une expérience aussi honteuse. Pour 35 € par personne, on s’est tout simplement fait avoir. On nous a emmenés devant quelques fûts sans la moindre explication — aucune présentation, rien sur le domaine, les cépages ou le processus de vinification. Ensuite, direction une petite pièce étouffante où on nous a servi trois verres à la chaîne, en silence. Aucune description des vins, à part peut-être l’année — c’était expédié en cinq minutes, clairement parce qu’ils étaient pressés. Et pour finir : « Laissez les verres, vous avez cinq minutes », puis ils sont partis.

Ce n’était pas seulement bâclé — c’était un mépris total pour les visiteurs et pour le vin. On sent bien qu’ils comptent juste sur le tourisme de passage, sans aucune intention de faire bien les choses.

Si vous tenez à votre temps, à votre argent ou si vous avez ne serait-ce qu’un minimum d’intérêt pour le vin — fuyez cet endroit. Le...

Worse visit Not a real tasting The visit bashima was very low quality wasn’t really interested with the customers. It’s all making money The worse part was the tasting : We tasted a wine - not good from a different winery of the group?. Than we tasted the wine of chateau from 2016 it was a dirty! Wine full of leftover from the base of bottle the colour was almost brown and smell and taste bad We didn’t drink the wine and asked for another. We where refused The arrogant guide didn’t replace it There are many wineries. Don’t go there

I have written to them with no reply. Maybe...