2020 Chateau Coutet

The 2020 Château Coutet is a beautifully refined Premier Cru Classé Barsac from Bordeaux, produced by one of the great historic estates of the Sauternes and Barsac region. Château Coutet was classified as a First Growth in the 1855 Classification, and its limestone-rich Barsac terroir is particularly important to the château's identity, producing sweet wines that combine botrytis concentration with unusually strong freshness and mineral tension. The 2020 is a blend of 95% Sémillon, 4% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle, harvested entirely by hand through six successive passes between 16 September and 26 October. Fermentation took place in barrel followed by 18 months ageing in 100% French oak barrels. The wine shows apricot, pineapple, mango and candied citrus alongside orange blossom, honey, saffron, hazelnut and subtle vanilla. There is substantial sweetness and texture, yet the defining feature is its freshness: the palate remains lifted, precise and mineral rather than heavy, finishing with the characteristic tension associated with Barsac. The finished wine received 96 Points from Wine Enthusiast, 95 Points from Decanter and Andreas Larsson, 95 Points from Falstaff, 94 Points from Antonio Galloni at Vinous and 94 Points from The Wine Independent. Lisa Perrotti-Brown reported 138 g/L residual sugar, while Wine Enthusiast emphasised the unusual combination of richness, acidity and lightness that gives the wine its balance. Info COUNTRY France PRODUCER Château Coutet VARIETY Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle STYLE White Wine VINTAGE 2020 SIZE 750ml