Château Coutet, 1er Cru Classé, Barsac, 2025
Coutet 2025 is 97% Sémillon, 2% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Muscadelle. A J&B favourite, Coutet typically embodies a lighter more citric style than many of its neighbours in Barsac and Sauternes. This vintage is no different. True to its name (which is derived from the word for ‘knife’ or ‘sharp edge’), there is agility and a lightness here, not just in colour but in profile; it is more pared-back than some of its peers. Candied lemon peel, bitter orange marmalade, honeysuckle, vanilla crème brulée and subtle apricot, which is lightened by orange zest. This shows a deft hand with no signs of the heat of the vintage. Another stellar Coutet. Harvest began on September 2nd and only took five passes.
critic reviews
The 2025 Coutet is a little more backward on the nose than usual, less giving. But there is wonderful purity of fruit, lemon thyme and clementine scents, touches of white flower. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous entry, playing with Coutet's trademark thread of acidity that emanates from the limestone soils. Quite minerally and spicy on the aftertaste, this is a marvellous Barsac from the Baly family.
One of my go to Barsacs, in this vintage showing intensely sweet pineapple, bitter almond, fennel, blood orange, tarte tartin. There is grip here, but it is one for lovers of opulence. Tasted twice, 25% new oak.