Opalie de Coutet Bordeaux blanc 2019 - Second vin

Lovely notes of acacia; a pleasant, well-balanced wine, though less pronounced in its mineral character than in previous vintages.

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 subsoil are present, Coutet produces wines that are a bit more lively and mineral than Climens. In recent vintages, the wine has shown greater richness and body—a response to the competition from its peers. The 2014 vintage will not match the château’s greatest vintages, but the 2015 is expected to dazzle.

Wonderful aromas. A hint of honey, butter, and vanilla—such a magnificent nose. Beautiful expression, good aromatic intensity. You get that lovely Sauternes aroma—almost sweet, but you know it’s also fresh. Round with a generous mouthfeel, it’s creamy and full-bodied with white fruits, apricot, peach, and lime zest. A strong hint of vanilla and toast on the finish. Roasted and toasty notes dominate for now but will settle in nicely and mellow with time.

This Premier Grand Cru Classé is one of the two leading estates in Barsac, along with Climens. On most of the 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 opens up more quickly and often has slightly less sweetness, with the exception of the famous “crème de tête” known as the “Madame” cuvée. Philippe Baly from 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.

A complex, delicate bouquet with notes of mandarin peel and flint. A fruity, briny attack. The wine has class, refreshing tension, and an ever-present aromatic expression. A lingering finish. A wine with character whose evolution will be interesting to follow. 2022–2033

Pale, brilliant color. Intense, refined, subtle, and elegant on the nose. Hints of mandarin and exotic fruits. Meticulously crafted on the palate, delicately full-bodied in the middle, and complex; the wine lingers into a delicate yet powerful finish. It’s long and very good.

The nose is fruity, offering freshness along with a touch of refined minerality and precision. It reveals notes of ripe and fresh apple, fresh and ripe pear, and, more subtly, crisp peach, combined with hints of juicy and fresh citrus (lemon, mandarin). On the palate, it is fruity and balanced, with a juicy, tangy structure, lovely definition, richness, tension, subtle richness, a fine texture, and smoothness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/ripe lemon, Granny Smith green apple, and, to a lesser extent, vine peach, combined with subtle hints of juicy/fresh quince, lemon blossom, as well as very subtle hints of passion fruit and a very subtle hint of refined minerality (in the background).