Opalie de Coutet Bordeaux blanc 2019 - Second vin

Bettane & Desseauve

About wine:

Attractive notes of acacia, pleasant and balanced overall, but less marked by limestone than in previous vintages.

About the estate:

Coutet (pronounced "Coutette" in Gascon) is destined to be the eternal rival of Climens in Barsac, which is not a miserable fate. Its soils are slightly different, and while we find the citrus notes born of the limestone base, Coutet produces wines that are a little more lively and mineral than Climens. In recent vintages, the wine has shown greater smoothness and richness, keeping pace with its peers. 2014 will not match the château's greatest vintages, but 2015 should be dazzling.

Decanter

About wine:

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 is creamy and thick with white fruits, apricot, peach, and lime zest. Strong doses of vanilla and toast on the finish. Roasted and toasted notes dominate at the moment but will settle in nicely and soften with time.

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

About the estate:

This premier grand cru classé is one of the two lords of Barsac, along with Climens. On most of the plots, the famous red soil—a combination of iron oxide and limestone—gives the wine extra liveliness compared to its neighbors with equivalent sugar content. Its citrus and acacia aromas bring it closer to Climens, but Coutet generally expresses itself more quickly and often has slightly less liqueur, apart from the famous crème de tête known as the Madame cuvée. Philippe Baly from Alsace and his brother Dominique, along with his daughter Aline, have been conscientiously managing the estate since their father bought it in 1977. We have been following this very consistent estate for many years.

Yves Beck

About wine:

Complex, delicate bouquet with notes of mandarin peel and flint. Fruity, salty attack. The wine has class, refreshing tension, and an omnipresent aromatic expression. Lingering finish. A wine with character that will be interesting to follow as it evolves. 2022-2033

Jean-Marc Quarin

About wine:

Pale, bright color. Intense, refined, subtle, and noble nose. Hints of mandarin orange and exotic fruits. Meticulous on the palate, delicately fleshy in the middle, complex, the wine stretches out into a delicate yet powerful finish. It is long and very good.

Vert de Vin

About wine:

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