Coutet - Barsac 2023

The Wine Palate

95

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/9/2026

A blend of 95% Sémillon, 4% Sauvignon Blanc, and 1% Muscadelle, the 2023 Coutet has 165 g/l of residual sugar and a pH of 3.66. Pale lemon-straw in color, it scoots out of the glass with eager-to-please notes of lemon meringue pie, fresh nectarines, and key lime pie, leading to touches of powdered ginger, coriander seed, and acacia honey, with a waft of wild fungi. The palate is chock-full of vivacious citrus and stone-fruit flavors, with a lively backbone and a long, steely finish.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/31/2026

A blend of 95% Sémillon, 4% Sauvignon Blanc, and 1% Muscadelle that was raised 18 months in 20% new French oak, the 2023 Château Coutet is always a terrific sweet wine from this estate. Its medium gold hue is followed by honeyed orange, caramelized pineapple, mint, and spicy nuances on the nose. Beautifully balanced on the palate, it has medium to full-bodied richness, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It will have 30 years of prime drinking. Drink 2026-2056.

Wine Advocate

98

byYohan Castaingthe3/5/2026

One of the highlights of the vintage, the 2023 Coutet is exquisite, revealing aromas of pear, white peach, beeswax, pineapple and ripe apricot intertwined with spices and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and concentrated yet without heaviness, it is fleshy and generous, built around an enveloping, vibrant core of fruit framed by racy acidity that extends into an endless, ethereal finish. Marrying the inherent vivacity of Barsac’s limestone terroirs with the concentration of the year, this ranks among my favorite renditions and may well be one of the finest wines produced here in recent times.
98+

Vinous

94

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2026

The 2023 Coutet has a fresh and quite saline bouquet with yellow plum, sea spray and quince scents that unfold with time. The palate is well balanced with a very harmonious and mellifluous opening, a killer line of Coutet's signature acidity that imparts superb mineralité on the finish. Wonderful.

Decanter.com

97

byGeorgina Hindlethe2/1/2026

Bright and lively, great tang with a subtle sweetness - more focused on citrus juice, orange rind, a touch of pineapple and some vanilla bean. Round, great persistency and just general zing without being too much of any one thing. Lovely precision, finesse and drinkability. An electric 2023.

Jamessuckling.com

97

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

Exceptional nose of white pepper, dried peaches and dried mushrooms with sweet, exuberant undertones. The palate is medium- to full-bodied and lusciously sweet, lifted by bright acidity that carries the wine to a balanced finish. Not cloying at all. 95% semillon, 4% sauvignon blanc and 1% muscadelle. Already great, but will improve substantially with time. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

My Bettane + Desseauve

97-98

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/15/2024

Expression aromatique sur les agrumes, citron en particulier, merveilleux équilibre, grande richesse en liqueur, digne des millésimes de légende.

Yvesbeck.wine

96-98

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

Die Frische des Kalksteins fehlt dem Coutet natürlich nicht mit kreidigen Noten, die von blumigen Nuancen, frischer Ananas, Wermut, Melisse und weißem Pfeffer umgeben sind. Der Wein ist von ausgezeichneter Dichte und verwaltet seine Süße mit Präzision! Er ist nicht opulent, sondern nur subtil, einladend und wird von einer strukturierenden Säure getragen, die Frische und Temperament bildet. Ein Wein, der sowohl durch seinen Charme als auch durch seine Frische und seine prägnante sowie belebende Säure beeindruckt. Ein energiegeladener und tonischer Wein. Ein Barsac, kurz gesagt!

Jeb DUNNUCK

95-97

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/13/2024

The 2023 Château Coutet is another decadent, powerful Barsac in the vintage. Honeyed orange, toasted spices, sautéed pineapple, and assorted tropical, floral notes all just about jump from the glass, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with a wealth of fruit, good acidity, and a great finish.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95-97

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Flowers, pineapples, candied orange rind, lemon curd, and saffron aromatics are all over the place here in the nose, and palate. The wine is perfectly balanced between its sweet, and zesty side, with ample, honeyed fruit, vanilla, roasted nuts, and over ripe pineapples. This is already simply great, and it is only going to get better from here. Drink from 2027-2050. 95-97 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

96

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

Beautiful aromatics, fresh acidity that picks things up from the first moment, crisp citrus, mango, pineapple, grated ginger, and a twist of bitter aniseed on the finish. Richly concentrated, reflecting small yields, but once again a wine that shows the huge potential of this style in the 2023 vintage. Harvest between September 20 and October 11.

Vinous

93-95

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 Coutet is stellar. Soaring aromatics and bright acids drive through a core of lemon confit, apricot, mint, spice, passion fruit and pineapple. The interplay of deep, layered flavors and energy is so compelling.

Vinous

94-96

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2024

The 2023 Coutet has a tightly-wound bouquet that demands more coaxing than its peers. It typically already possesses laser-sharp focus and is less flamboyant than fellow Barsacs, underpinned and sharpened by its limestone soils. The palate is well balanced with intense botrytised fruit, lightly spiced dried honey and orange rind notes, just a hint of apricot in the background, stretching out on the finish that lingers on the tongue. I am not sure it is the best Coutet in recent years, but it is certainly a very fine contribution to the vintage that should age well in bottle.

Falstaff

93

byPeter Moserthe4/29/2024

Pale golden yellow, silver reflections. Floral touch, white peach, delicate background with apricot and pineapple, inviting bouquet. Medium complexity, sweet tropical fruit, fine honey note, mineral, integrated acidity, balanced, has a certain elegance and length.

Alexandre Ma

94-95

byAlexandre Mathe4/28/2024

Jamessuckling.com

94-95

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

A Barsac with dried-apple, apricot and spice character. The botrytis comes through with a healthy and clean nature to it. Medium-bodied and medium-sweet with a spicy finish.

Vertdevin

93

byJonathan Chicheportichethe4/24/2024

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

96

byJane Ansonthe4/15/2024

Beautiful aromatics, fresh acidity that picks things up from the first moment, crisp citrus, mango, pineapple, grated ginger, and a twist of bitter aniseed on the finish. Richly concentrated, reflecting small yields, but once again a wine that shows the huge potential of this style in the 2023 vintage. Harvest between September 20 and October 11.