Château Coutet, 1er Cru Classé, Barsac, 2023
As soon as your nose nears the glass it’s impossible not to be wowed by the fabulous definition and detail of this Coutet – clear flower honey, crystalline citrus pith, and fresh ginger notes presented in a crisp, sizzling Barsac of dazzling intensity, brilliant tension and energy. One of the best of a very good bunch in 2023. A blend of 95% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Muscadelle.
critic reviews
A blend of 95% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Blanc, and 1% Muscadelle, the 2023 Coutet has 165g/l of residual sugar and a pH of 3.66. It is pale lemon-straw in color and scoots out of the glass with eager-to-please notes of lemon meringue pie, fresh nectarines, and key lime pie, leading to touches of powdered ginger, coriander seed, and acacia honey, with a waft of wild fungi. The palate is chock-full of vivacious citrus and stone fruit flavors, with a lively backbone and a long, steely finish.
Beautiful aromatics, fresh acidity that picks things up from the first moment, crisp citrus, mango, pineapple, grated ginger, and a twist of bitter aniseed on the finish. Richly concentrated, reflecting small yields, but once again a wine that shows the huge potential of this style in the 2023 vintage. Harvest between September 20 and October 11.
The 2023 Coutet has a tightly-wound bouquet that demands more coaxing than its peers. It typically already possesses laser-sharp focus and is less flamboyant than fellow Barsacs, underpinned and sharpened by its limestone soils. The palate is well balanced with intense botrytised fruit, lightly spiced dried honey and orange rind notes, just a hint of apricot in the background, stretching out on the finish that lingers on the tongue. I am not sure it is the best Coutet in recent years, but it is certainly a very fine contribution to the vintage that should age well in bottle.
product details
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