1976 Coutet
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Tasting notes
The 1976 Coutet has a well-defined bouquet, nectarine and peach, with a light swimming pool night. The palate is tangy on the entry with marmalade and citrus peel notes, but it cuts away briefly on the finish, and I am seeking more Barsac character. Not bad, although I was expecting more, and it is ignominiously surpassed by the 1973 with time in the glass. Tasted from an ex-château bottle served at the estate.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Eclipsing the superlative 1962 and 1967 with the passage of time, Coutet's 1976 Coutet is stunning today, bursting from the glass with aromas of apricot, pineapple, confit citrus, beeswax, saffron and vanilla pod. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's layered and vibrant, with a satiny attack and a seamless, lated mid-palate, it concludes with a long, penetrating finish.
One of the best Coutets of the seventies, the 1976 is a relatively big Coutet, with a surprising amount of alcohol (15pc), a ripe apricot, spicy, floral, lemon-scented bouquet, full body, fat, succulent flavors, and Coutet's trademark -- crisp, fresh acidity. Anticipated maturity: Now. Last tasted, 3/86. Jan 1998, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Classified as a First Growth in 1855, this Barsac property has a history stretching back to the 14th century. Today it has 38.5 hectares of vineyard, producing brilliant sweet wines cut by taut acidity. In certain years, it produces Cuvée Madame, pure botrytised Semillon from its oldest vines.