Coutet 2017 (750ML)

96 JS / 95 DE / 95 WA / 95 WS / 94-96 VM / 93-95 JD

#57 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of France 2020

Wow. Fabulous focus and intensity to this wine with energetic sweetness and long, linear quality through the center palate. Orange-peel, lemon and peach undertones. Fresh finish. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

Rich sunflower yellow in colour, this has a good concentration of subtle spiced ginger on the nose, followed by rich citrus and apricot tart flavours, going almost as far as white truffles. It's gourmet without being cloying, thanks to those Barsac soils which give a wonderful freshness through the palate. The acidity is not quite as focussed as in classic years for the appellation, but it has zip and personality and is a clear success in this vintage. - Jane Anson, Decanter

This is youthfully packed, with a green tea accent wrapping up a dense core of creamed pineapple, yellow apple chutney, candied pink grapefruit and quince flavors. The long finish is viscous but bright, gilded liberally with ravishing singed almond and hazelnut notes. Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. Best from 2022 through 2045. 2,000 cases made. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The 2017 Coutet has a super intense nose of ripe apricots, honey-coated nuts, warm pineapple and mango with touches of nutmeg and orange blossoms. Rich, sweet and unctuous, it has wonderful intensity and depth, finishing with fantastic length. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

The 2017 Coutet, which was tasted both as a final blend and directly from several different lots in barrel, has a very well defined bouquet with pure wild honey and orange blossom aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is crisp and fresh, underpinned by Coutet’s trademark acidic drive that counterbalances the intense honeyed fruit laced with orange zest and white peach. Superb. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Another rocking sweet wine is the 2017 Château Coutet. This big, full-bodied, opulent beauty has serious notes of orange blossom, buttered citrus, and honey, yet also shows the more pure, precise, and elegant style of the vintage on the palate. The cool, overcast summer allowed good ripeness while preserving the purity of fruit and the whites (and dessert wines) from this vintage are beautiful! - Jeb Dunnuck