Château Coutet Sauternes-Barsac 2019 - 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:

A magnificent nose full of exotic spices and candied fruits (orange, apricot, honey). On the palate, a lovely creamy texture; it’s rich yet smooth—like caramel. The wine is quite defined and straightforward, yet rounded and generous (pineapple, mango, violet). It’s still a bit young but full of liveliness, with acidity that brings energy and vitality throughout. Elevated and luminous. 2027–2045

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2019 Coutet, with its pale lemon-gold color, is a true tour de force from the very first sip, bursting in the glass with incredibly intense aromas of mandarin peel, linden blossoms, and lemon marmalade, set against a core of pineapple upside-down cake, candied ginger, ripe apricots, and clover honey, along with hints of chanterelle mushrooms and musk. The palate is just as electric and exhilarating, dancing across the palate with a myriad of flavors of candied citrus, stone fruits, and citrus, underpinned by a racy backbone of acidity, finishing beautifully textured and with a fireworks display of minerality of breathtaking length. All in all, it is absolutely delicious. 2025–2055

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

About the wine:

Immediately, it transports us to the soil of Barsac with its subtle hint of iron. With its striking aroma and remarkable aromatic purity, it evokes the scent of candied lemon. On the palate, it draws on the limestone-rich character of its terroir, which imbues it with great vitality. A finely crafted wine, despite its richness. Masterful.

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.

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

The nose is exceptionally pure, with notes of dried apricot and currants—rich yet lively and well-defined. On the palate, a deep, lingering flavor deliciously coats the mouth, with a seductive profile featuring passion fruit, lime, and yellow peach.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

What freshness, authenticity, and character! The minerality and fruit create a beautiful harmony through notes of rhubarb and apples, along with hints of caramelized apples. This harmony is evident on the palate, where liveliness, character, and smoothness are in perfect balance. This Coutet has excellent aging potential, and I believe it hasn’t yet revealed its full potential… but it’s certainly there. It will have time to reveal it over the coming decades. A salty, lingering finish. 2026–2074

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fruity, syrupy, fresh, elegant, and refined, with a certain vibrancy. It features notes of quince, lemon paste, and, more subtly, mandarin paste, combined with hints of pineapple in syrup, a touch of apricot, crushed mango, as well as subtle hints of saffron, a refined minerality, and an imperceptible, almost pastry-like note. The palate is fruity, beautifully balanced, and well-structured, offering juiciness, richness, body, creaminess, energy, a tangy backbone, and tension. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of quince paste, candied lemon, and, more subtly, crystallized mandarin, combined with hints of dried apricot, pineapple in syrup, and mango, as well as hints of verbena, peach blossoms, saffron, and lime, along with a subtle hint of refined minerality, almond, and an almost imperceptible hint of cinnamon (in the background). Good length. A lovely success!

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About the wine:

Pear, exotic notes, white fruit, and magnificent floral aromas. Beautifully ripe, with structure, texture, and good length, plus a fresh, airy finish. Citrus and candied ginger. A very appealing Coutet with a distinct character.