CHATEAU COUTET 1er Grand Cru Classe, Barsac 2017 HALF

Description

Château Coutet 2017 is an extraordinary Sauternes that exemplifies the rich heritage of this First Growth estate, celebrated since 1787. Awarded 97 points by Wine Enthusiast, this vintage showcases a balance of elegance and intensity, with vibrant botrytis fruit delivering luscious orange-marmalade flavours and tight acidity. James Suckling rates it 96 points for its fabulous focus and energetic sweetness, complemented by notes of orange peel and peach. Decanter gives it 95 points, praising its rich sunflower yellow colour and complex aromas of spiced ginger, citrus, and apricot tart. Vinous highlights its pure wild honey and orange blossom, noting the crisp palate and refreshing acidity. This age-worthy masterpiece is perfect for savouring and celebrating special moments.

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In 1787, former U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, then ambassador to France, celebrated Château Coutet as the best Sauternes from Barsac. In 1855, the estate was classified as a First Growth and recognized for its continued excellence. Today, as the oldest and largest Barsac estate, Château Coutet stays true to its tradition of distinction and quality. The finest Barsac-Sauternes is produced annually under the direction and management of the Baly family as well as the technical and commercial collaboration of the Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A. company, the vineyard's exclusive distributor. Coutet is located in the south of the appellation and the 35 hectares of vineyards are planted with Sémillon (75%), Sauvignon Blanc (23%) and Muscadelle (2%). Vinification takes place in oak barrels, before 18 months' extended oak ageing. The wines are aromatically complex and recent vintages have seen added concentration.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 97 points
95–97. Barrel Sample. This wine shows great balance and poised elegance. Its botrytis fruit gives it rich intensity, with a ripe orange-marmalade flavor and layers of tight acidity. This will be a wine for serious aging and not ready to drink before 2024. — Roger Voss

JAMES SUCKLING 96 points
Wow. Fabulous focus and intensity to this wine with energetic sweetness and long, linear quality through the center palate. Orange-peel, lemon and peach undertones. Fresh finish. Drink or hold.

DECANTER 95 points
Tasted by: Jane Anson
(at Primeur week tastings in Bordeaux, 09 Apr 2018) Part of Top Sauternes 2017 wines
Drinking Window: 2020 - 2038
Rich sunflower yellow in colour, this has a good concentration of subtle spiced ginger on the nose, followed by rich citrus and apricot tart flavours, going almost as far as white truffles. It's gourmet without being cloying, thanks to those Barsac soils which give a wonderful freshness through the palate. The acidity is not quite as focussed as in classic years for the appellation, but it has zip and personality and is a clear success in this vintage.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 95 points
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2045.
"The 2017 Coutet has a super intense nose of ripe apricots, honey-coated nuts, warm pineapple and mango with touches of nutmeg and orange blossoms. Rich, sweet and unctuous, it has wonderful intensity and depth, finishing with fantastic length."

VINOUS 94-96 points
The 2017 Coutet, which was tasted both as a final blend and directly from several different lots in barrel, has a very well defined bouquet with pure wild honey and orange blossom aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is crisp and fresh, underpinned by Coutet’s trademark acidic drive that counterbalances the intense honeyed fruit laced with orange zest and white peach. Superb. - Neal Martin

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
Deep copper colour. True, ripe pear-juice aromas. Edge of veg. Really proper wine that’s not too heavy and should be one of the savoury stars of the vintage. Hint of blue cheese and real life here. (JR)