Château Coutet 2016

As always, the profile still feels unfinished (which is almost considered a mark of quality here), with notes of reduction and turpentine; on the palate it’s densely built, long, the kind of wine that needs to mature.

Unctuous in feel, with marzipan, candied orange peel and praline notes leading the way for a juicy display of mango, peach and papaya flavors. The rich finish has a nice toasty hint. Best from 2023 through 2038. 5,333 cases made.

A real treat of a Barsac from Coutet, this offers a beguiling and luxurious mix of crystallised lime and lemon and peaches in syrup with a touch of ginger marmalade spiciness. Blue cheese, foie gras, tarte tatin … take your pick for a partner.

The vibrant, tropical fruit-coulis character draws you into this concentrated and elegant Barsac. Then the crisp acidity and a wave of lemon and mineral character comes through, driving the finish out toward the horizon. Drink or hold.

The 2016 Coutet is a vintage I feel ambivalent about. The nose seems a little strict and lean, lacking the presence and concentration of the previous vintage. The palate is well balanced with quince and tangerine, showing moderate depth, but it needs more acidity and bite on the finish. Tasted from an ex-château bottle served at the estate.

Pineapple, candied orange rind, vanilla, and apricots with sweet, honeyed, and floral notes create the nose. The wine is lush, sweet, and fresh, with a tropical fruit and decadent, honey-coated finish.

Light, delicately cloudy yellow-green. Aromas of ripe pineapple, mango, subtle blossom honey, with an orange-zest undertone. Juicy, sweet canned peach, clove, an opulent style, with lots of honey on the finish and oak spice on the finish.

Floral and perfumed nose with ripe citrus, honey, wax, some tropical notes, mango and pineapple. Very dense palate with fine balance, lovely fruit with fresh mango and pineapple, some roasted notes of vanilla, saffron, almond, and a long, layered finish.

One of the top sweet wines in this report is the 2016 Château Coutet, which has the vintage’s plush, opulent style as well as thrilling purity and good acidity. Pineapple, white flowers, sugared peach, and honeyed notes all emerge from this full-bodied, layered, balanced Barsac that’s already impossible to resist yet will evolve gracefully for 2+ decades.

Deep yellow with green-golden reflections. Captivating bouquet of ripe sultanas and papaya, with resin and cinnamon in the background. Oily, buttery palate with perfect balance and delicate minerality. Licorice, caramel and fine bitterness on the very long finish. On its way to an even higher score! 18.5/20

Silky, powerful, opulent bouquet: stewed pears, subtle citrus, honey, mint, chalk. Balanced, full and generous palate with intense fruit, very good sweetness, fine, fresh acidity, dense and complex aromatics, creamy texture, opulent finish. Can improve further. 18/20 2024 - 2050

Great concentration and remarkable tension in relation to the richness of the liqueur, a great Coutet.

A nose of roasted pineapple, with a subtle hint of fruit cake. This generous nose leads into a full, vibrant fruit on the palate, with refined richness. It has substance without heaviness: the finish remains very precise and incisive.

Candied melon, quince paste, and candied pineapple. Broad palate, indulgent wine.

Pale golden yellow. What a bouquet! It is defined by minerality and notes of green apples, bringing freshness in both respects. With aeration, I pick up peppermint and dark chocolate. Dense, racy character on the palate. The wine has tension, richness and very promising potential. It will reward patience. A great Coutet.

Yellow color with green highlights. Very aromatic nose, spicy and complex. Caressing on the attack, juicy through the mid-palate, very aromatic; the wine melts on the palate, flavorful, long, and very charming. It’s very good.

Kunz barrel sample 17: silky, powerful, opulent bouquet, cooked pears, subtle citrus, honey, mint, chalk. Balanced, full, generously rich palate with intense fruit, very good sweetness, fine, fresh acidity, dense and diverse aromatics, creamy structure, opulent finish. Can still improve.

95–97. Barrel Sample. This wine is dense, mingling spicy nutmeg along with superb ripe honey and marmalade flavors. With its balanced acidity and opulence, it is going to be a great wine.