Today we share one of the great dessert wine houses of the world. Chateau Coutet is one of two premier cru class estates in Barsac. Shortly after graduating from college I first sampled their 1998 Chateau Coutet — a wine that was simply magical considering the challenges of the vintage. This was an epiphany wine for me as I had never tasted anything quite like it.
Chateau Coutet is known for making great wines despite the challenges of the vintage — just like the 1998. They are led today by Aline Baly who is the third of her generation to join the family business as she serves as co-owner of Chateau Coutet. Her family has run the business since 1977. The quality of wines have become quite evident since Aline has joined the frame. Aline has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago and has brought her marketing and business talents to managing Coutet. She joined the business in 2018.
Chateau Coutet wines age incredibly well, as I have had several of these bottling back to the 1980s. There is a certain elegance to these wines that impresses me. Great vintages such as 2007 and 2011 show a wonderful degree of opulence as well alongside the bright minerality. If you have never tried any older Chateau Coutet, I implore you to seek these wines out.
I recently had the chance to revisit the 2014 Chateau Coutet (OB, 95) which is a beautiful wine now at ten years of age. This outstanding bottling will easily go for another ten to fifteen years. Learn more about this famed house at https://www.chateaucoutet.com/en/ and here is my review of the 2014 Chateau Coutet.
2014 Chateau Coutet Barsac- The 2014 Chateau Coutet is really starting to make its charge and is really quite an infant in the bottle now. This is only the second time that I have tasted this wine in the past five years. The nose is alluring with creme brulee, cardamom and roasted pineapple tones alongside shades of toasted hazelnuts. The palate is plush and soft with a generous mouthfeel. This is a slightly stronger showing since last tasted in 2020. While this might not be the most unctuous Coutet, the balance and finesse, alongside stony and salty minerals really makes this shine. Finishing long this really has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2024-2040- 95