2021 Château Coutet, Barsac, Bordeaux

2021 Château Coutet, Barsac, Bordeaux

Product: 20218007007
 
2021 Château Coutet, Barsac, Bordeaux

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Available by the case In Bond. Pricing excludes duty and VAT, which must be paid separately before delivery. Storage charges apply.
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Description

Sémillon 75%, Sauvignon Blanc 23%, Muscadelle 2%

The frost of 7th April especially affected the Sémillon vines, but the subsequent high rainfall brought the remaining vines back on track by the end of July. Fifty millimetres of rain in mid-September created perfect conditions for botrytis. The harvest began on 30th September and ended after four passes on 18th October. The wine is really fine, with pure, intense fruit, beautiful freshness and the classic bitter-orange marmalade note. Quantities are tiny, of course, but this is top quality. Drink 2025-2050.

Our score: 17.5/20

Berry Bros. & Rudd, April 2022

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Critics reviews

Jane Anson95/100

Great quality, bright and concentrated, dried apricots, mandain peel, fig, pineapple and candied ginger, with a touch of bitterness and a mouthwatering finish. This is gorgeous, one to look out for.

Drink 2023 - 2040

Jane Anson, janeanson.com (May 2022) Read more

Jancis Robinson MW17+/20

Pale gold. Intense but restrained with floral-citrus notes. Palate svelte and textured but with drive and precision. Botrytised sweetness but with a lingering, tangy freshness. Embryonic but good potential.

James Lawther, jancisrobinson.com (May 2022)

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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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