CHATEAU COUTET 1er Grand Cru Classe, Barsac 2022 HALF

Description

Château Coutet 2022 is a remarkable vintage from this esteemed estate, earning 94+ points from The Wine Advocate. It opens with enticing notes of apricots, spices, and exotic fruits, leading to a medium to full-bodied palate that is round and supple, enhanced by brightness and tension. The finish is spicy and minty, showcasing its balanced structure and lively acidity, which contribute to an elegant and chiseled Barsac. Vinous also rates it 94 points, highlighting the clean bouquet of white peach, quince, and saffron, with excellent balance and a keen thread of acidity. Decanter scores it 94 points, praising its smoothness and complexity, making this vintage an impressive choice for connoisseurs seeking a refined Sauternes experience.

*****

THE WINE ADVOVATE 94+ points
Drink Date: 2034 - 2054
One of the wines of the vintage, the 2022 Coutet opens with notes of apricots, spices and exotic fruits, setting the stage for a medium to full-bodied, round and supple palate enhanced by brightness and tension that culminates in a spicy, minty finish. Its balanced structure and lively acidity contribute to an ethereal ending, making it a very elegant yet chiseled Barsac. This blend of 94% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle is matured for 18 months in barrels.
Published: Jan 16, 2025

VINOUS 94 points
The 2022 Coutet has a clean and precise bouquet with scents of white peach, apricot blossom, quince and saffron. It unfolds wonderfully in the glass but maintains a sense of control. The palate is very well balanced, with ample weight counterbalanced by a keen thread of acidity. There is a naturalness to this Coutet that I really appreciate. This is very fine. - Neal Martin

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle (at Bordeaux, 09 Jan 2025) Part of Best Sauternes and Barsac 2022 wines tasted en primeur
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2048
Orange, lemon, lime, honey, caramel with an almost candy floss scent. Smooth and so satisfying on the palate, a lovely buttery element alongside signature bitterness. Complex and compelling, really thick and glossy but enjoyable.

JAMES SUCKLING 93-94 Points
13 Apr, 2023 – Tempting dried fruit here with spice and floral character. Full and creamy with attractive acidity and a textural finish.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 92 points
This estate in Saint-Emilion, the oldest in the hands of the same family, has produced a wine with plenty of potential. It is still structured, the black fruit and licorice aromas reflected in the dense tannins and black currant flavors. Drink from 2027. Organic. — Roger Voss

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
Smells spicy and golden with barley-sugar sweetness (British hard candy). Very sweet and still balanced. Long, golden spicy finish. Viscously generous. (JH)