Château Coutet 1998

The delicateness and complexity of a Barsac white wine

The estate

Château Coutet is located in the Barsac appellation, in the heart of the Sauternes vineyards. In 1787, Thomas Jefferson, the future President of the United States, named Château Coutet the best Sauternes wine produced in the Barsac region. The word "coutet" is derived from the Gascon word for knife, and perfectly sums up the unique style of the estate's creations: sharp, lively, fresh wines.

The vineyard

Château Coutet 1998 is a Barsac wine made from 38.5 hectares of vines planted with Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. These vineyards benefit from a privileged geographical location and a unique terroir composed mainly of clay-limestone soils. This environment allows the vines to draw the nutrients they need for their development from deep within the soil, guaranteeing high-quality grapes.

The vintage

1998 was a special year in terms of climate. Mild temperatures and low rainfall at the start of the year meant that the vines budded early. The sunny month of June helped the grapes to ripen to perfection. The heat of August, combined with favourable weather conditions in September, allowed Botrytis to develop well.

Winemaking and ageing

Fermentation took place in barrels of new French oak and ageing was carried out in barrels over 18 months.

Blend

Sémillon (75%)
Sauvignon Blanc (23%)
Muscadelle (2%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Coutet 1998

Tasting

Nose
The nose is very fine, releasing scents of candied orange, accompanied by vanilla hints. Notes of apricot liqueur, gingerbread and honey then complete the bouquet.

Palate
The palate is fleshy, presenting a lovely balance between smoothness and freshness, and revealing notes of candied citrus fruit, mingled with a beautifully mineral framework.

To serve

For the best tasting, this wine should be served at a temperature between 10 and 12°C.

Note that the cork is quite crumbly, so it is recommended using a two-prong cork puller to open this bottle instead of a corkscrew.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs perfectly with foie gras or tarte tatin.