Coutet

History of Château Coutet

The history of Château Coutet begins in the 13th century, long before it became a renowned wine estate. Originally, this site was an English fortress, of which a square crenellated tower still remains today, emblematic of medieval military construction. It was in 1643 that the estate took on its viticultural dimension under Charles Le Guérin, then Lord of Coutet, who made it one of the first vineyards of Sauternes.

The Château subsequently belonged to several influential families, including the Lur-Saluces, famous for their role in the sweet white wine industry. They were also owners of the prestigious Château d'Yquem, and Château Coutet once housed the stables of the latter. In 1926, the estate was purchased by Henry-Louis Guy, an industrialist from Lyon, who modernised the facilities with hydraulic presses still used today.

In 1977, the Baly family, of Alsatian origin, took over the estate and began a new era. With the help of Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A., they modernised production whilst remaining faithful to the Château's viticultural heritage. Under the current direction of Aline Baly, the third generation of the family, Château Coutet continues to flourish and produce wines of exceptional quality, remaining one of the jewels of Barsac.

The 2009 and 1988 vintages of Château Coutet Cuvée Madame were rated 99/100 by Robert Parker, and the 1990, 2001 and 1971 vintages scored 98/100, attesting to the quality and richness of this great Barsac wine.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Coutet

The unique terroir of Château Coutet, situated in the heart of the Barsac appellation, is one of the secrets behind the exceptional quality of its wines. This 38.5-hectare estate rests on clay-limestone soils typical of the region. These cold soils, due to their ability to retain moisture, slow down grape ripening, thus offering a particular microclimate that gives Coutet wines their unmatched freshness and vivacity.

The grape varieties are dominated by Sémillon (75%), renowned for its ability to develop noble rot, essential for producing great sweet wines. This is complemented by Sauvignon Blanc (23%), which brings freshness and vivid aromas, and Muscadelle (2%), which adds delicate floral notes.

The vines, averaging 38 years of age, are cultivated using sustainable farming methods, demonstrating a deep respect for the environment and terroir. The harvest is entirely manual and takes place in several passes (tries), selecting only grapes affected by noble rot, thus ensuring wines of optimal quality.

Winemaking at Château Coutet

At Château Coutet, vinification is a meticulous process that follows traditional methods whilst benefiting from modern equipment. After harvest, the grapes are gently pressed using hydraulic presses, a technique unique to Château Coutet that allows for the extraction of highly pure juices.

Alcoholic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, which gives the wines aromatic complexity and elegant structure. The estate exclusively uses new barrels for each vintage, ensuring optimal quality. After fermentation, the wines are aged in barrels for 18 months, a crucial period that allows them to develop their full aromatic richness and depth.

The blending moment is undoubtedly the most delicate step, where the expertise of the cellar masters is fully expressed. It is through this art of blending that Château Coutet manages to finely balance the sweetness and freshness of its wines, giving them exceptional longevity.

The cuvées of Château Coutet

Château Coutet - Premier Grand Cru Classé 1855

Château Coutet, Premier Grand Cru Classé, is the very expression of Barsac's winemaking expertise and tradition. This wine offers a rich and complex aromatic palette, marked by notes of white flowers, citrus, honey and vanilla, characteristic of its youth. Over the years, these aromas evolve towards more complex flavours of exotic fruits, candied fruits and spices, offering an unparalleled sensory experience.

Its structure is both rich and lively, thanks to the subtle balance between sweetness and the natural acidity of the terroir. This wine is an ambassador of Barsac, renowned for its ability to age for several decades, developing increasingly sophisticated aromas.

Cuvée Madame

Cuvée Madame is Château Coutet's rarest and most prestigious wine. Created in 1943 in tribute to Madame Rolland-Guy, this cuvée is produced only in the most exceptional vintages. Made from the most concentrated grapes, carefully hand-selected, Cuvée Madame stands out for its extravagant richness and aromatic intensity.

It reveals complex notes of candied fruits, sweet spices and a sugar concentration perfectly balanced by lively acidity. Vintages of this cuvée are rare, making it an extremely sought-after wine by enthusiasts worldwide. Cuvée Madame is a true treasure of Château Coutet, and its 2009 vintage even received a perfect score of 100/100 from Robert Parker, the ultimate recognition in the wine world.

La Chartreuse de Coutet

La Chartreuse de Coutet is the estate's second wine, created in 1977 by the Baly family. Although considered a second wine, it benefits from the same care and expertise as the grand vin. This wine is distinguished by its balance between sweetness and vivacity, offering delicate aromas of citrus, white flowers and honey.

La Chartreuse de Coutet is a more accessible yet equally refined wine that expresses the purity of the Barsac terroir. Its freshness and elegance make it an ideal wine for those seeking an introduction to Château Coutet's unique style, without sacrificing quality.

The best vintages of Sauternes and Barsac, two prestigious Bordeaux appellations, include exceptional years such as 1945, 1947, 1949, 1955, 1959, and 1967, recognised for their finesse and complexity. Among more recent vintages, notable years include 1975, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, as well as the legendary 2001. Sweet wine enthusiasts will also appreciate the years 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013. Finally, the excellent climatic conditions of recent decades have produced memorable vintages in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. These wines offer unique aromatic richness and remarkable ageing potential.

Discover the exceptional treasures of the Grands Crus Classés of Sauternes and Barsac, where each estate tells a unique story of expertise and excellence. The prestigious Château d'Yquem, Premier Grand Cru Supérieur, embodies the quintessence of Sauternes. Among the Premiers Grands Crus Classés, explore the subtleties of Château Climens and Château Coutet in Barsac, as well as the wonders of Château Guiraud, Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Château La Tour Blanche, Château Rabaud-Promis, Château de Rayne-Vigneau, Château Rieussec, Château Sigalas-Rabaud, and Château Suduiraut in Sauternes. Each estate invites you to dive into the enchanting world of dessert wines, combining aromatic richness, finesse, and elegance, for an unforgettable sensory experience.

Château Coutet, with its centuries of history and exceptional expertise, remains one of the most prestigious producers of the Barsac appellation. Its wines, true masterpieces of patience and precision, embody the quintessence of sweet wine, with a perfect harmony between sweetness, freshness and aromatic complexity. Whether it's the grand vin Premier Grand Cru Classé or the exclusive Cuvée Madame, each bottle of Château Coutet tells a rich story of tradition, terroir and passion. With limited production and meticulous attention to every detail, Château Coutet wines are an invitation to discover the excellence of Barsac in all its splendour.