2014 Chateau Coutet Premier Cru Classe-Sauternes-Barsac

The 2014 Coutet has a slightly muddled nose, evident on two bottles that were opened. It eventually sorts itself out, scents of wild honey, dandelion, nettle, quince and melted wax. The palate is very well balanced and showed much more composure than the nose. This displays Coutet’s trademark crisp acidity, quite tensile, very pure with a long and tender viscous finish. There is a very good wine here but I just don’t think it showed on the day. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Tasted blind. Deep gold. Pungent, creamy and interesting. Masses of glorious fruit in rich and varied array. So many exciting grace notes. (JR)

The 2014 Coutet is a gorgeous Barsac. Orange peel, cinnamon, dried flowers and lightly honeyed notes abound. The wine is rich and deeply textured, but not at all heavy. This is a terrific showing from a Barsac that is both highly nuanced and also understated.