The Grand Vin of the estate, the Château Coutet 2018 reveals all the qualities typical of a great Barsac.
Located in the south of Bordeaux, the Premier Grand Cru Classé of Barsac Château Coutet is one of the essential references of its appellation. The plantation of the estate is dominated by Sémillon (75%), supplemented by Sauvignon Blanc (23%) and Muscadelle (2%). The Grand Vin is matured for 18 months in French oak barrels.
Following a spring marked by heavy rainfall, the beautifully dry and sunny summer favored an ideal ripening of the fruit. The drought of August and September contributed to a late development of botrytis. At Chateau Coutet, the grape harvest began on October 5th and ended on November 5th with 4 successive manual selections.
The Chateau Coutet 2018 presents a beautiful straw yellow color in the glass. The beautifully expressive aromatic bouquet evolves a palette of citrus notes bitter orange, grapefruit -, as well as sweet white peach, all enhanced by spicy notes, like ginger. On the palate, a fresh and lively attack leads to a deliciously velvety, dense texture that is also perfectly balanced. Full of freshness, the long finish leaves behind notes of orange and spice. A very nice vintage of a Barsac Grand Cru Classe, which is fresh, lively, unctuous and balanced.
WINE ADVOCATE-PARKER:
Pale to medium lemon-gold colored, the 2018 Coutet has super intense, well-delineated notions of warm pineapple, green guava and baked pineapple with hints of mandarin peel, gingerbread, orange blossoms and lime leaves. The palate is alive with energetic tropical fruit and exotic spice notes with a lovely satiny texture and fantastic freshness, finishing with epic length.