Château Coutet – Barsac 1er Grand Cru Classé – 2022 – 12%

Château Coutet – Barsac 1er Grand Cru Classé – French dessert wine – 2022 – 12%

Awarded 96 points by Tim Atkin (2022)
Awarded 95 points by Wine Spectator and Vinous (2022)
Awarded 94 points by James Suckling (2022)

Château Coutet is one of the oldest estates in Sauternes and Barsac, with vines recorded as far back as 1643. Thomas Jefferson visited the estate in 1787 and called the wine the best Sauternes from Barsac, and in the 1855 classification it was designated a Premier Cru.

Sémillon leads the blend, and the grapes are touched by noble rot, concentrating them into a honeyed richness without ever making the wine feel heavy. The name comes from a Gascon word for knife — a nod to the sharp freshness that defines the wine.

Serve it chilled with foie gras, blue cheese, or a fruit tart — or enjoy it on its own after dinner.

Grape composition: 94% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Muscadelle

Taste: Intense aromas of apricot, pineapple, mandarin oil, and candied orange with saffron, honeysuckle, and exotic spices. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, round and supple, with a viscous opening followed by freshness and tension, and a spicy, minty finish that lingers on and on.

Color: Light golden

Food pairing: Foie gras, blue cheese, and fruit tarts.

Storage: Delicious now and built to age for decades.

Serving: Best served at 8-10 degrees

Allergens: Contains sulfites