Château Coutet 2023

Subtle, restrained, showing depth, with citrus notes; on the palate, opulence and class, two mouthfuls full of wine, a Rubenesque lady with charm and elegance; delicate finish on candied citrus. Can age.

Superb Barsac energy and keen spice, almost Cayenne pepper with pronounced ginger, clove and both dry and fresh fig. Tasted twice with the same beguiling results, this wonderful wine exudes balance that reflects both opulence and verve (165 grams per litre of residual sugar, 3.66 pH). The acidity makes this wine vivacious and mouthwatering, so try with Thai curry or Szechuan cuisine—or just on its own. A vibrant, late-harvest Barsac and a top wine of the vintage.

95% Sémillon, 4% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle. Cask sample. Pale gold hue. Clean and precise on the nose with zesty mandarin-citrus notes. Sweet attack, then good length and persistence. Bitter, botrytised finish. (JL)

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.

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.

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, with a certain elegance and length.

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.

Score: 92–94. Very fresh notes of peppermint, saffron-poached pear, and slightly sappy aromas make for an enticing nose. The palate is much rounder, with a silky texture of apricot compote, Victoria pineapple, and mango. A few notes of saffron honey on the finish add an extra layer of complexity.

The bouquet is very airy and fresh with a hint of rose. While the palate surprises with a stimulating attack (ginger and white pepper), the liqueur proves fine, elongated and persistent, developing a range of flavors such as pineapple, pear, and imperial mandarin on the finish. Original and elegant.