Château Coutet Barsac 2011
(Sauternes, France) - [WS 97] [WE 96] [DM 95] [VM 95]

Chateau Coutet, a Classified First Growth, is a flagship of the Barsac appellation. Previously owned by the Lur-Saluces family, the property was home to Chateau d’Yquem’s horse stables, transformed in the late 19th Century into a 110-meter long cellar (the longest in the appellation). Thomas Jefferson celebrated Chateau Coutet as the best Sauternes from Barsac during his ambassadorship to France. Today, Chateau Coutet stays true to its tradition of distinction and quality by producing the finest Barsac year after year. With an average age of 35 years, the vines of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle have developed a network of deep roots to extract elements from the limestone and clay-based terroir, giving the grapes freshness, richness and strength. For this reason, the wine carries the name "Coutet," derived from the Gascon's word for knife, to signify the fresh, lively and crisp palate that is the estate's signature style.

WEATHER CONDITIONS:
Overall, the 2011 vintage was marked by the premature onset of spring that pushed the vineyard activity forward by approximately two weeks. A dry spring forced the vines to reach deeper into the clay and limestone subsoil for nutrients. Summer was cooler with a rainy period in July. A beautiful late season provided ideal conditions for achieving rapid maturity and an early onset and proliferation of the Botrytis cinerea. The first berries of ‘noble rot’ were observed in August. From that point on, the concentration of the fruit occurred at a fast pace.

TASTING NOTES:
In its youth, the wine shows great complexity revealing a superb range of concentrated aromas. Floral notes of heather and honeysuckle combine with fresh fruits, such as quince, white peach, mango, pineapple, orange and lime zest, and dried fruits. This vibrant bouquet is completed with the estate’s signature mineral (flint) characteristic. The palate is then wrapped with honey and spicy notes. The wine’s rare elegance is the result of a beautiful balance between rich nectar and vivid acidity. Lively and lush, it already offers remarkable freshness and power. Its racy depth and length make the 2011 vintage a wine of great potential.

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - Wine Spectator:
"White peach, pineapple, white ginger, orange zest and green fig notes are clear and racy, while green almond, brioche, pear and yellow apple details wait in reserve. Offers stunning range and polish, showing terrific energy and cut on the finish. This just makes you feel special when you drink it. An estate that has been rising steadily for a while now. Best from 2016 through 2035. 2,915 cases made." - James Molesworth (Mar 2014)

96 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Well balanced, this gorgeous ripe wine is packed full of fresh yellow fruits, ripe oranges and lemon. The fruit counterpoints the generous, dense structure, offering the dry core of botrytis. Acidity gives a line of freshness at the end. Drink from 2020." - Roger Voss (5/1/2015)

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Medium gold. The nose has opened up impressively, with sumptuous aromas of mandarins, apricot and pineapple. The attack is intense and racy thanks to the vibrant acidity, and shows little sign of evolution. It's very sweet and concentrated, but there's no heaviness thanks to the acidity and the balance of the wine. The oak is well integrated and the finish is as focused and pure as the attack. Very long. (Drink between 2021-2040)" - Stephen Brook (May 2021)

95 Points - Vinous Media:
"Bright golden yellow. Ripe tropical fruit, peach, marzipan and honey on the captivating nose, complicated by ample botrytis of crystalline purity. Big, dense and suave on the palate, with rich, ripe peach and apricot flavors lifted by a bright floral note. Finishes very long and creamy, with hints of earth and herbs. With 6 g/l total acidity and 155 g/l residual sugar, this marvelously balanced wine magically combines power and refinement. Another great Coutet in the making." - Ian D'Agata  (June 2014)