Critic Ratings & Tasting Notes
James Suckling 94-95/100
“Dried mangoes, pineapple, sweet lemons and some dried durian. Nicely unctuous with a long, flavorful finish. Waxy and medium- to full-bodied for a Barsac.”
Decanter 95/100
“Pale yellow with a shimmering glow, this wine captivates with a highly floral nose, weaving delicate threads of pear, zesty citrus, and the telltale roasted nuances of Botrytis. On the palate, it unfurls with vibrant energy, marrying juicy mango and pineapple with a taut, mineral-driven core, typical of Barsac. 135g/l residual sugar.”
Jeff Leve – The Wine Cellar Insider 93-95/100
“Butterscotch, ginger snaps, pineapples, candied orange and zesty lemons fill the nose. The palate is fresh and lively, with a focus on its core of sweet yellow citrus and juicy pineapples. The wine blends 99% Semillon with 1% Sauvignon Blanc, and a drizzle of Muscadelle. Drink from 2027-2045.”
Vinous 95-97/100
“The 2024 Coutet was picked over six tries although the final ones were not used with 134 g/L residual sugar this year. It has quite an intense bouquet with beautifully defined lemon thyme and light peach aromas. The palate is well balanced with a vivacious opening, lively apricot and quince notes and concentration effortlessly offset by the silver thread of acidity. Composed and persistent on the finish, this is a superb Coutet.”
A Barsac icon
The property
Château Coutet, established in 1643 on the remains of a 13th-century English fortress, is a jewel of Barsac, classified Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855. Under the direction of the Baly family since 1977, the estate has regained its original size in 2023, extending over 42 hectares. This Bordeaux vineyard, with its limestone, clay and sand soils, benefits from a cool microclimate conducive to botrytization, producing wines of remarkable freshness and minerality. Château Coutet seduces with its sharp and lively style, praised as early as 1787 by Thomas Jefferson who considered it the best Sauternes of the appellation. Its name, derived from the Gascon “knife”, perfectly illustrates this characteristic freshness.
The vineyard
Extending over 42 hectares in Barsac, the Château Coutet vineyard rests on clay-limestone soils that give the wines their characteristic minerality. The vines, averaging 50 years old, benefit from a particular microclimate created by the proximity of the Ciron, promoting the development of Botrytis cinerea, essential for the production of great sweet wines of Barsac.
The vintage
The year 2024 began with a milder winter than normal with record rainfall. Bud break occurred between March 21 and 27, followed by a dry April punctuated by a few white frosts. May was particularly rainy with more than 150 mm of precipitation. Flowering took place from May 28 to June 10. The summer experienced a slight water deficit with temperatures below recent averages, despite 16 days exceeding 32°C in July and August. Significant rainfall (100 mm) occurred between late August and mid-September.
Vinification and aging
The harvest took place in six successive tries between September 19 and October 22. This meticulous selection allows only perfectly botrytized grapes to be harvested. Aging takes place for 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% of which are new.
Blend
Sémillon (98.9%), complemented by a touch of Sauvignon Blanc (1%) and a hint of Muscadelle (0.1%).
