Barsac
Barsac is one of the communes of the Sauternes appellation. With marginally flatter land and soils of red sand and light gravels, it adjoins the northern boundary of the commune of Sauternes. There are just over 800 hectares under vine, producing nearly two million bottles in an average year. Stylistically the wines are arguably a little lighter in style than those of Sauternes.
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For laying down,
One of the largest Barsac properties, Coutet is a charming wine and always offers value for money. The 2016 has a sweet attack on the nose, with a floral, delicate character on the palate which gives way to a note of honeyed, white flowers and some freshness. Good to very good.
Blend: Sémillon 75%, Sauvignon Blanc 23%, Muscadelle 2%
Blend: Sémillon 75%, Sauvignon Blanc 23%, Muscadelle 2%
For laying down,
Ch. Coutet is one of the largest Barsac properties and has been owned by the Baly family since 1977. Classified as a Sauternes Premier Cru Classé, Coutetis located in the south of the appellation. The wines are aromatically complex and lusciously concentrated.
Ch. Coutet is really pretty in 2013. It is rather light and more floral than many from this vintage and shows lots of engaging acidity. Focused, showing signs of dried apricots and even a little mango, this is very tasty wine indeed.
Ch. Coutet is really pretty in 2013. It is rather light and more floral than many from this vintage and shows lots of engaging acidity. Focused, showing signs of dried apricots and even a little mango, this is very tasty wine indeed.
Chateau Doisy Daene,
For laying down,
A 100% Sauvignon Blanc! ‘It was the first time we ever dared to do it,’ said Denis Dubourdieu. Elegant if reticent nose of lemon jelly, melon and saffron. Extremely rich and concentrated on the palate with a viscous mouthfeel and pure, fresh citrus and sweet spice flavours. Three barriques only were made, with roughly 204g/l residual sugar and 9g/l total acidity. Excellent and racy but lacks the weight provided by Semillon.
Drink: 2020-2040
Ian D’Agata - decanter.com
Drink: 2020-2040
Ian D’Agata - decanter.com
Chateau Doisy Daene,
For laying down,
Very lemony and floral, with precise, delicate aromas and flavours of citrus and saffron. A gentle wine – almost dainty in fact – and very pure, with lipsmacking acidity. Denis Dubourdieu said he won’t likely keep this in barrique for longer than 12 months.
Drink: 2020-2035
Ian D’Agata - decanter.com
Drink: 2020-2035
Ian D’Agata - decanter.com
For laying down,
Very rich, deep aromas of lemon verbena, peach, cinnamon; enticing. Rich, dense and suave palate, with a honeyed richness to the spicy, fresh citrus and apple jelly flavours. A large-scaled Coutet showcasing a hint of passerillage (dried grapes). Outstanding, but I prefer the 2014.
Drink: 2020-2035
Ian D’Agata - decanter.com
Drink: 2020-2035
Ian D’Agata - decanter.com
Chateau Doisy-Vedrines,
Ready, but will improve,
Ch. Doisy-Védrines is one on the most consistent wine properties in Sauternes, delivering near-perfect liquid gold year-in, year-out. What I love about this property is the freshness they give to the wines, which makes them approachable very early on, but also builds the backbone for very long-term ageing. 2010 is no exception to this; it is very fresh on the approach with lovely tropical fruits, apricots, and gorgeous long and precise sweet finish. It is in my top three Sauternes this year.
Max Lalondrelle, Bordeaux Wine Buyer
Max Lalondrelle, Bordeaux Wine Buyer
Chateau Doisy Daene,
Ready, but will improve,
Nothing better than a fresh glass of Sauternes!! Every time I have one I just think “why do I not have this more often!!”. Following from great 2001-2005-2009-2010 the 2011 is yet again a very strong Sauternes vintage and Doisy Daene is one of the best when it comes to the combination of both elegance and freshness. Although sweet it is one of these wines that drinks effortlessly. Lovely perfumed sweet nose, pineapples and peach. A touch sweeter than usual for this wine but extremely well balanced and lovely fresh elegant long finish.
Max Lalondrelle, Berrys’ Fine Wine Buying Director
Max Lalondrelle, Berrys’ Fine Wine Buying Director
Chateau Doisy-Vedrines,
Ready, but will improve,
One of the stars of the sweet wines this year and seemingly indicative of a strong showing for the commune of Barsac. The bouquet is truly a thing of beauty, with pure, vivid aromas of citrus peel, apricot and honey. The palate is again wonderfully pure and clean, and the length, albeit with lowish acidity, impressive. The sweetness is very clean and not at all cloying.
Ready, but will improve,
Chateau Climens,
For laying down,
As usual the assemblage of Climens will not be finalised until close to bottling. The 2014 will be almost 100% Grand Vin and was picked between 25th September and 27th October in 6 distinct lots, ranging from 109g/l to 168g/l of residual sugar at a yield of approximately 6.5hl/ha. It is likely that the final blend will weigh in at around 14.5% alc, 146g/l residual sugar, resembling 2001 and 2007 but with better freshness. In general the lots showed the hallmark elegance and balance of Climens, in combination with beautifully rich tropical fruit, spice and a lovely minerality. The structure here crafts a wine that will give pleasure for well over half a century and a finish that goes on and on. An world class sweet wine by Berenice Lurton! Approximately 1,250 cases will be produced.
Gareth Birchley, Fine Wine Buyer (Asia)
Gareth Birchley, Fine Wine Buyer (Asia)
Chateau Doisy-Vedrines,
For laying down,
On the nose 2014 Ch. Doisy Vedrines shows more yellow fruit and citric characters than some of their brethren, fresh apricot and lively lemon really leap on you. There is great interplay here between the fruit and oak; oak which is more subtle than just wood character, more custard and opulent creaminess cosseting the palate. The acidity, so important in Barsac, is very well rooted, almost seamlessly part of the wine's structure. The finish is tangy, fresh and lively.
Gary Owen, Private Account Manager
Gary Owen, Private Account Manager
Chateau Climens,
Ready, but will improve,
Picked in just two tries, 90% picked in one trie, tasting through 13 separate lots, the core components of a great Climens appear to be in place. Paying particular attention to the lots that constitute a large percentage of the blend (usually around 15%) the common themes are ones of great purity, persistency and precision.
The aromatics display pure honey, minerals, occasionally a faint scent of spearmint and white peach, most with spellbinding precision. On the palate, Berenice Lurton has some stupendous lots at her disposal, with ample botrytis, ethereal definition, one or two more powerful, quite spicy lots and others that are shorter and will undoubtedly lend the blend an acidic cut. It will be a joy to taste this after bottling.
Neal Martin - Wine Advocate - April 2010
The aromatics display pure honey, minerals, occasionally a faint scent of spearmint and white peach, most with spellbinding precision. On the palate, Berenice Lurton has some stupendous lots at her disposal, with ample botrytis, ethereal definition, one or two more powerful, quite spicy lots and others that are shorter and will undoubtedly lend the blend an acidic cut. It will be a joy to taste this after bottling.
Neal Martin - Wine Advocate - April 2010
Chateau Climens,
Ready, but will keep,
Tasted blind at the 10-Year On Tasting in Sauternes. The 2005 Château Climens just soars from the glass with layers of clear honey, marmalade, nectarine and minerals all beautifully carved. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh, vibrant honeyed fruit that builds and builds in the mouth in tandem with a killer line of acidity. Even though it is a convincing, great Climens, you also have the impression that it is only just beginning to show what it is capable of. Bérénice Lurton and her team excelled in this vintage and it comes strongly recommended!
97/100 Neil Martin eRobertParker.com #219 Jun 2015
97/100 Neil Martin eRobertParker.com #219 Jun 2015
Chateau Climens,
Ready, but will improve,
This is a jaw-droppingly good Climens that may just turn out to be the best they have ever made. With 100% Sémillon and, as ever, the epitome of delicacy, finesse and complexity, it is utterly sensational - possibly even better than d'Yquem itself. It has amazing depth and richness yet remains wonderfully vibrant, leaving magical flavours of sweet orange blossom in the mouth. Owner Bérénice Lurton has produced some fabulous wines from this celebrated Barsac estate in recent years but her 2007 is truly sublime. Buy as much of this as you can.
Chateau Doisy-Vedrines,
Ready, but will keep,
Anybody who has tasted the sensational 1989 Doisy-Védrines will want to snap up the equally good 2007 in an instant. As well as being one of the sweetest wines of the vintage it is exceptionally elegant and well-balanced. The nose is marked by intense, icy-cool tropical citrus while the rich yet fresh palate has wonderfully pure, sweet creamy pineapple fruit, plenty of botrytis and fine balancing acidity. The finish is incredibly long and precise. Made from 95% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc, this is a magically sensual Sauternes at an outstanding price.
Chateau Doisy-Vedrines,
Ready, but will keep,
Owner and winemaker Olivier Castéja says that the direction the wind is blowing at harvest is a good indication of the quality of the vintage; if you can hear the train it signifies that the wind is blowing from the west and conditions are likely to be dry, if you can hear the motorway to the east, then bad weather could be on its way. Fortunately in 2008, the only sound to be heard during the harvest was the train clattering along the railway track to the west, and the weather was warm, fine and dry throughout.
Exceptionally low yields (just 15 hl/ha) have resulted in ripe apricot and honeysuckle flavours with juicy, dried apricot fruit and a glorious, glycerol texture. This is elegant and fine with lovely crisp acidity in perfect balance with the sugar. Just a smidgen off the incredible 2007 perhaps, but a thoroughly fine addition to your cellar all the same.
Exceptionally low yields (just 15 hl/ha) have resulted in ripe apricot and honeysuckle flavours with juicy, dried apricot fruit and a glorious, glycerol texture. This is elegant and fine with lovely crisp acidity in perfect balance with the sugar. Just a smidgen off the incredible 2007 perhaps, but a thoroughly fine addition to your cellar all the same.
Exceptionally low yields (just 15 hl/ha) have resulted in ripe apricot and honeysuckle flavours with juicy, dried apricot fruit and a glorious, glycerol texture. This is elegant and fine with lovely crisp acidity in perfect balance with the sugar. Just a smidgen off the incredible 2007 perhaps, but a thoroughly fine addition to your cellar all the same.
Exceptionally low yields (just 15 hl/ha) have resulted in ripe apricot and honeysuckle flavours with juicy, dried apricot fruit and a glorious, glycerol texture. This is elegant and fine with lovely crisp acidity in perfect balance with the sugar. Just a smidgen off the incredible 2007 perhaps, but a thoroughly fine addition to your cellar all the same.
Chateau Climens,
For laying down,
In 2013 only 2500 cases will be made (half the production of the last few abundant years and a fraction of the production of Ch. d’Yquem), but the final blend is not decided until early summer. Each barrel shows its individual character, but all had in common an energy, focus, persistence, depth and precision that makes this one of the wines of the vintage. The ethereal quality that I consider the hallmark of a great Climens was already noticeable as was an intense perfumed fragrance, which is the hallmark of the 2013 vintage. 2013 Climens is a jewel in the making and though its subtle elegance will make this approachable young, it has decades of ageing and evolving ahead.
Ready, but will keep,
Ch. Coutet is one of the foremost properties in the Sauternes & Barsac region, it is without question one of the very best producers of excellent sweet white Bordeaux wines. A property we have keenly followed for many years.
The Baly family have owned Ch. Coutet since 1977, but recently, under the direction of next generation proprietor Aline Baly, the chateau has produced some of their best ever wines. Her modern, detail-conscious approach to all aspects of the winemaking, along with the luck of being blessed with fantastic vintages, has ensured that Aline has produced many exceptional Barsac wines. Typically comprising 75% Semillon, ensuring the wonderful elegance typical of the best Barsac.
Robert Parker comments in his 2003 book ‘Bordeaux’:
“Since 1983 Coutet has been making top notch wine nearly every vintage. In fact, this appears to be a property that is deadly serious about challenging Climens’ historical role as the top estate in the Barsac region.”
The Chateau has made available to us a mixed case of their fantastic 1997, 2002 & 2004 wines. The case comprises two bottles of each vintage and is very neatly presented in a specially produced wooden ‘Collection’ case. 1997 “A classic example of elegance allied to richness and intensity, Coutet's 1997 exhibits an expressive, floral, citrusy, honeyed nose, with notes of orange, Chinese black tea, pineapple, and spicy oak. It is all finesse, with honey, medium to full body, gorgeous delineation, and refreshing underlying acidity. It should drink well young. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2020.”
90/100 Points, Robert Parker
2002 “A lovely gold color enhanced by coppery glints. The wine’s nose, ample and very open, shows complex notes of blended honey, beeswax, crystallized quince and small dried fruits. On the palate, the wine is round and generous, with a good balance between concentration and freshness, with a few notes of honey and rock sugar, mixed with spices and vanilla. On the finish, one finds an agreeable, saline minerality, bringing forth freshness, and a lengthy trail of very ripe exotic fruits.” Aline Baly, Owner – Ch. Coutet
2004 “A beautiful coppery yellow, the wine is discreet on the nose, yet very fine. Once the wine has been aerated, it gives off a few notes of white and yellow fruits (pear, peach, and cherry plum) mixed with notes of beeswax and crystallized quince. On the palate, one can detect a marriage of elegant, fruit brandy, notes of spices and dried fruits. The blend is very aromatic and well-integrated, giving a small yet quite pleasant complexity, with finesse and a savory impression. The finish, with a small touch of caramel-toffee, lingers on an aromatic expression rather than power, giving this vintage a lot of charm.” Aline Baly, Owner – Ch. Coutet
The Baly family have owned Ch. Coutet since 1977, but recently, under the direction of next generation proprietor Aline Baly, the chateau has produced some of their best ever wines. Her modern, detail-conscious approach to all aspects of the winemaking, along with the luck of being blessed with fantastic vintages, has ensured that Aline has produced many exceptional Barsac wines. Typically comprising 75% Semillon, ensuring the wonderful elegance typical of the best Barsac.
Robert Parker comments in his 2003 book ‘Bordeaux’:
“Since 1983 Coutet has been making top notch wine nearly every vintage. In fact, this appears to be a property that is deadly serious about challenging Climens’ historical role as the top estate in the Barsac region.”
The Chateau has made available to us a mixed case of their fantastic 1997, 2002 & 2004 wines. The case comprises two bottles of each vintage and is very neatly presented in a specially produced wooden ‘Collection’ case. 1997 “A classic example of elegance allied to richness and intensity, Coutet's 1997 exhibits an expressive, floral, citrusy, honeyed nose, with notes of orange, Chinese black tea, pineapple, and spicy oak. It is all finesse, with honey, medium to full body, gorgeous delineation, and refreshing underlying acidity. It should drink well young. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2020.”
90/100 Points, Robert Parker
2002 “A lovely gold color enhanced by coppery glints. The wine’s nose, ample and very open, shows complex notes of blended honey, beeswax, crystallized quince and small dried fruits. On the palate, the wine is round and generous, with a good balance between concentration and freshness, with a few notes of honey and rock sugar, mixed with spices and vanilla. On the finish, one finds an agreeable, saline minerality, bringing forth freshness, and a lengthy trail of very ripe exotic fruits.” Aline Baly, Owner – Ch. Coutet
2004 “A beautiful coppery yellow, the wine is discreet on the nose, yet very fine. Once the wine has been aerated, it gives off a few notes of white and yellow fruits (pear, peach, and cherry plum) mixed with notes of beeswax and crystallized quince. On the palate, one can detect a marriage of elegant, fruit brandy, notes of spices and dried fruits. The blend is very aromatic and well-integrated, giving a small yet quite pleasant complexity, with finesse and a savory impression. The finish, with a small touch of caramel-toffee, lingers on an aromatic expression rather than power, giving this vintage a lot of charm.” Aline Baly, Owner – Ch. Coutet
Chateau Doisy-Vedrines,
Drink now,
Nestling in the commune of Barsac, this tropical, honeyed, exotic Sauternes has performed in line with the rest of the Castja portfolio in 2003; that is to say excellently. The 2003 Sauternes in general have been overshadowed by the reds but in contrast to 2000, 2003 is a great year for these intensely sweet whites, with the best, like this wine, rivaling the wonderful 2001s. Drink 2008-2030.
Max Lalondrelle, Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd