ChAteau Coutet at Ula

​ChAteau Coutet at Ula

Chateau Coutet is from Barsac, Bordeaux and is one of the historic estates of Barsac, Sauternes, Premier Grand Cru Classé 1855.  The estate is particularly associated with freshness, minerality and acidity balancing substantial botrytized sweetness. The name Coutet derives from the Gascon word for knife, an appropriate reference to the wine's “cutting” freshness.

For Coutet's identity, think Botrytis, Sémillon, limestone, clay, and acidity.  That's why a good Coutet doesn't drink simply as “sweet wine.” The sweetness is counterweighted by acidity, giving it the ability to work with salty, savory, spicy and acidic foods.  Château Coutet is a wine of sweetness, acidity, minerality and texture that happens to be sweet.

The wines you should know are Chateau Coutet, Cuvée Madame, Opalie de Château Coutet, and Chartreuse de Coutet.

Chateau Coutet, the flagship wine. This is the wine to understand first. Botrytized sweet white, traditionally dominated by Sémillon with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, with the combination of richness and acidity that defines Barsac. Think: honey, apricot, peach, citrus, spice, botrytis, mineral freshness.  And don't think only dessert. Château Coutet has specifically championed lobster, shellfish, roast chicken/turkey, curries, Asian food, cheese and strawberries with Coutet.

Cuvée Madame, this is the prestige and concentration wine you should know. It dates to the period when Madame Rolland-Guy owned Château Coutet and is made in very small quantities. It is known for extraordinary concentration, complexity, persistence and balance. Cuvée Madame is an excellent avenue of conversation for talking about old vintages.

Opalie de Chateau Coutet, this is the dry white expression of Coutet.  It was introduced with the 2010 vintage and is made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc from selected parcels. The estate describes it as an expression of the same clay-limestone terroir but in a dry, mineral style. Very interesting for a restaurant, because Opalie gives you a completely different way to talk about Coutet with food.  One can approach it like a dry Bordeaux Blanc.  2025 is the first Opalie vintage with Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc at 50/50. 

​Chartreuse de Coutet, the second wine produced since 1977. It generally offers a somewhat more accessible expression of the estate, with honeyed, round and suave characteristics.

If you're discussing Coutet over lunch or dinner, avoid the standard Sauternes and foie gras pairing.  Go after the Coutet and food with contrasting elements—salt, bitterness, acidity, spice—to create a more interesting pairing.  That's where you can have a genuinely interesting and fun lunch or dinner party.