Château Coutet Sauternes-Barsac 2018 - 1er Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Coutet (pronounced “Coutette,” in the Gascon style) is destined to be the eternal rival of Climens in Barsac—which is by no means a miserable fate. Its soils are slightly different, and while the citrus notes derived from the limestone bedrock are present, Coutet produces wines that are a bit more lively and mineral-driven than Climens. In recent vintages, the wine has shown greater richness and sweetness, driven by the need to keep pace with its peers. 2014 will not match the château’s greatest vintages, but 2015 should dazzle.

Decanter

About the wine:

Deep in color, with pronounced flavors of peach and apricot pit, and welcome hints of almond bitterness on the finish, which help the wine really come into its own. Extremely concentrated.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

A sumptuous nose, ranging from candied orange to fruit cake. It possesses vitality and depth thanks to its abundant sweetness, yet this is balanced by the character of the Barsac terroir, which brings out the fruit’s brilliance. What balance, what richness on the palate! It develops notes of mirabelle plum and candied apricot. Sumptuous.

About the estate:

This Premier Grand Cru Classé is one of the two leading estates in Barsac, alongside Climens. On most of its plots, the famous red soil—a mixture of iron oxide and limestone—gives the wine an extra edge of liveliness compared to its immediate neighbors with equivalent sugar content. Aromas of citrus and acacia bring it closer to Climens, but Coutet generally expresses itself more quickly and often has slightly less sweetness, with the exception of the famous cream of the crop known as the Madame cuvée. Philippe Baly of Alsace and his brother Dominique, along with his daughter Aline, have managed the estate with great care since their father purchased it in 1977. We have been following this consistently excellent estate for many years.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

#58 - TOP 100 BEST WINES TO CELLAR IN 2021: This wine has a beautifully textured palate. Notes of orange peel and candied fruit are balanced by a dry, botrytis-driven core that lends the wine body while maintaining a light touch. It possesses all the crisp freshness and minerality typical of this great estate. Drink starting in 2026.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

The nose is marked by the purity of apricot, white peach, and peach pits, unfolding on the palate with notes of dried apricot, fresh herbs, rose, and delicately salty nuts. A delight.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Golden yellow. This bouquet is full of character, displaying a chalky quality—strongly reminiscent of Barsac—along with floral and earthy nuances and hints of celery. I also detect notes of mandarin, white peach, and apricot. On the palate, Château Coutet 2018 has class and body. Its acidic structure gives it the necessary character, while its smoothness highlights the wine’s charming and subtle nature. Beautiful aromatic persistence on the finish. A wine that reveals itself slowly. 2025–2050

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fruity, fresh, precise, refined, and racy, offering a racy minerality and elegance. It features notes of vine peach, verbena, and subtle hints of candied citrus, combined with touches of pineapple, racy minerality, and delicate floral notes. The palate is fruity, precise, balanced, refined, and elegant, offering good definition, finesse, tension, juiciness, minerality, and elegance. On the palate, Château Coutet 2018 expresses notes of ripe/juicy lemon, candied vine peach, and a hint of pineapple, combined with subtle hints of verbena, lychee, quince, flowers, and a discreet touch of beeswax. Good length. A subtle hint of botrytis and caramelization on the finish/aftertaste.

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About the wine:

Château Coutet 2018 offers aromas of saffron and apricot, creating a lively, dynamic nose with hints of bitter orange on the finish. The palate is generous, dense, and full-bodied. This Château Coutet boasts a refined and elegant palate. It has great potential.