2016 Coutet 2016 375ml

97 POINTS

Jeb Dunnuck

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 acids. 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 2+ decades.

96 POINTS

Yves Beck - Yvesbeck.wine

Jaune doré clair. Quel bouquet ! Il est marqué par la minéralité et des notes de pommes vertes, donc de la fraîcheur, dans les deux cas. A l'aération je relève de la menthe poivrée et du chocolat noir. Caractère dense et racé en bouche. Le vin a de la tension, du gras et de très belles perspectives. Il faudra savoir l'attendre. Un grand Coutet. 2026-2066 96/100

96 POINTS

Bettane & Desseauve - Bettane & Desseauve

Très riche, sur des notes d’abricot et d’ananas, rôti, encore un peu sur la réserve.

95 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

With coaxing, the pale lemon colored 2016 Coutet slowly unfurls to give a myriad of preserved lemons, pineapple pastry, almond croissant, fresh ginger and lime blossoms scents with nuances of chalk dust, white pepper, star anise and cedar. Rich, seductive and yet exquisitely balanced, the satiny-textured palate has layer upon layer of citrus and savory notions, finishing very long and spicy.

95 POINTS

James Suckling

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 in the direction of the horizon. Drink or hold.

93 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

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.  –JM

92 POINTS

Neal Martin - Wine Advocate

The 2016 Coutet has an intriguing bouquet, more exotic than I have noticed in the past, scents of tangerine and dried pineapple, not quite the mineral drive that I expect from Coutet. The palate is serviced back to normal: a very fine line of acidity, great delineation, taut and focused with a brisk and precise finish. I just hope that the aromatics get their house in order during the barrel maturation so that it matches the palate. At the moment, I will be prudent with my score.

91 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2018 Coutet has a high-toned bouquet of honey, clementine and light waxy aromas that overall is missing some complexity. The palate is well balanced with a viscous opening and notes of marmalade, quince and ginger. This is quite linear in style and does not really fan out on the finish, but I appreciate the harmony and length. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.