1997 Château Coutet, Barsac, Bordeaux

1997 Château Coutet, Barsac, Bordeaux

Product: 19978007007
 
1997 Château Coutet, Barsac, Bordeaux

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Description

Half-bottle. Marmalade, ginger, acacia, honeysuckle – plus the dried fruit of maturity. It feels like it might be less sugary for Sauternes – or maybe that's the age? Either way, the balance is spot on.

Drink 2002 - 2027

Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2022)

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Critics reviews

Jancis Robinson MW17/20

Half-bottle. Marmalade, ginger, acacia, honeysuckle – plus the dried fruit of maturity. It feels like it might be less sugary for Sauternes – or maybe that's the age? Either way, the balance is spot on.

Drink 2002 - 2027

Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2022)

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Wine Advocate91-93/100

First tasted in April 1998 when it was closed but showing promise. Retasted in London in May 2004, and my prediction came true—a moderate lemony/gold colour. A lovely, rich palate of pineapple and apricot follows a very minerally nose. It is very minerally and refined with vibrant acidity. Quite creamy on the finish. It's just a superb wine. Drink now but should keep a few years.

Ready to drink

Neil Martin, Wine Advocate (January 2000)

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Robert Parker90/100

Coutet's 1997 exhibits an expressive, floral, citrusy, honeyed nose with notes of orange, Chinese black tea, pineapple, and spicy oak, a classic example of elegance allied to richness and intensity. It is all finesse, with honey, medium to full body, gorgeous delineation, and refreshing underlying acidity. It should drink well, young. 

Ready to drink

Robert M. Parker, Jr., Wine Advocate (April 2000)

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Stephen Tanzer92+/100

Pale colour. Highly aromatic, sappy aromas of peach pit, nectarine, flowers and herbs. Sweet, moderately thick and very concentrated; silky, vibrant and elegantly styled, with impeccable sugar/acid balance. Like biting into a perfectly ripe, juicy peach. Very long, vibrant finish features subtle oak—classy wine with outstanding potential; among the standouts of the tasting.

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com (July 1999)

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About this WINE

Chateau Coutet, Barsac

Chateau Coutet, Barsac

Château Coutet is one of the largest Barsac properties and has been owned by the Baly family since 1977. Coutet is located in the south of the appellation and the 35 hectares of vineyards are planted with Sémillon (75%), Sauvignon Blanc (23%) and Muscadelle (2%).

Vinification takes place in oak barrels, before 18 months' extended oak ageing. The wines are aromatically complex and recent vintages have seen added concentration.

Coutet's Cuvée Madame is produced in tiny quantities (often less than 1,500 bottles) and is named after a previous housekeeper at Coutet. It is produced from a special parcel of vines and when produced (which is rarely) is one of the richest and most concentrated sweet wines in Bordeaux. Coutet is classified as a Sauternes 1er Cru Classé.

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Barsac

Barsac

Barsac is one of the communes of the Sauternes appellation (along with Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes itself). With marginally flatter land and soils of red sand and light gravels, the commune adjoins the northern boundary of the commune of Sauternes, separated by the Ciron River, whose cold waters are so instrumental in producing the region's necessary autumn fogs.

There are just over 800 hectares under vine, producing nearly two million bottles in an average year. The châteaux can choose to sell their wine under either the Sauternes or the Barsac appellation, but stylistically the wines are arguably a little lighter in style than those of Sauternes.

The leading producers are Châteaux Climens and Coutet, with Châteaux NairacDoisy-Daëne and Doisy-Vedrines making good value, attractive wines.

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Sauvignon Blanc & Sémillon

Sauvignon Blanc & Sémillon

The blend used for White Graves and Sauternes and rarely encountered outside France. In the great dry whites of Graves, Sauvignon Blanc tends to predominate in the blend, although properties such as Smith Haut Lafite use 100% Sauvignon Blanc while others such as Laville Haut Brion have as much as 60% Sémillon in their final blends. Sauvignon Blanc wines can lose their freshness and fruit after a couple of years in bottle - if blended with Sémillon, then the latter bolsters the wine when the initial fruit from the Sauvignon fades. Ultimately Sauvignon Blanc gives the wine its aroma and raciness while Sémillon gives it backbone and longevity.

In Sauternes, Sémillon is dominant, with Sauvignon Blanc playing a supporting role - it is generally harvested about 10 days before Sémillon and the botrytis concentrates its sweetness and dampens Sauvignon Blanc`s naturally pungent aroma. It contributes acidity, zip and freshness to Sauternes and is an important component of the blend.

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