Chateau Coutet 2012

True to the style in the dimension of the vintage: oily, rich, dense, spicy, with freshness, a delicate bitterness on the finish.

Broad and honeyed, with lots of warm piecrust, orange zest, glazed apple, peach and almond cream notes. The finish lingers with orange and date accents, while a hint of citrus oil imparts good spine. Rather flattering today, but has the energy to develop with time. Best from 2017 through 2027. 2,500 cases made.

Rich, concentrated Barsac with a high level of residual sugar (145 g/l) and honey, dried mango notes. Fairly dense, layered flavours with a full-bodied palate. Two samples tasted: one was fresh and lifted while the other was dull and heavy.

Dense for the vintage with phenolic, apple-skin and honey character. Full-bodied, lightly sweet, with an apple purée aftertaste. A little simple. Drink now.

Mid gold. More delicate on the nose than many. Light notes of apricot and honey, even a touch floral. Quite savoury on the palate, perhaps from the oak. Sweet and fresh and a careful 'dryness' on the finish that adds finesse. It's obviously not dry but there's a textural dryness that works well with the sugar sweetness. Very moreish and long. (JH)

The 2012 Coutet is well-defined with wild honey, acacia and honeysuckle notes, not amazingly complex but pure. The palate is well balanced with a viscous entry, fine acidity, plenty of botrytis here with a slightly tangy finish. Fine cohesion here, this should drink well for 15 years or so. Tasted blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

Mineral and nutty with yellow fruit, orange zest, good structure and roundness, black tea, spices, fine oak and a long rich finish.

Medium yellow, linden-green nuances, bright. Very fresh bouquet, mirabelles, vanilla, mandarin zest. On the palate, fresh, peppery, with a very good sugar-acidity balance, gentle, yet with a long finish.

Medium yellow with linden-green nuances, bright. Very fresh bouquet of mirabelles, vanilla, and mandarin zest. On the palate, fresh and peppery, with a very good sugar-acid balance, mild yet long on the finish.

Silky, mineral, powerful bouquet, citrus, slate, chalk, limes. Opulent, plush, broad palate with pronounced sweetness, concealed acidity, medium aromatics, long, plush finish. Can still improve. 16/20 2018 - 2038

The 2012 Coutet is medium straw-gold in color. It opens with notes of chamomile tea, straw, and lime blossoms over a core of apple tart and preserved lemons. The palate delivers soft-spoken flavors with soft acidity and a fragrant earth finish.

More closed on the day of our tasting than the Doisy wines, taut, a bit reduced, to revisit.

Coutet shows clear aromas, a structure of good length, a liqueur of fine quality, and a fairly fresh finish, confirming the fine success of Barsac. It will be approachable fairly soon.

Green-yellow colour. Fruity nose, subtly stewed, fresh and floral. Supple on the attack, delicate as it develops, particularly fruity and airy, this wine builds towards the finish and lingers long on notes of tangerine and mango. A great success. pH: 3.7, residual sugar: 145 g/L.

90–92. Barrel sample. This is a rich wine with a dense texture and concentrated, opulent and ripe tropical and dried-fruit flavors. It misses some of that dry, botrytized character often found in Bordeaux, but it's just as much sweet as it is textured.