Château Coutet Sauternes 1er Cru Classé Bordeaux 1997

The grapes used are hand-picked over several periods when they have been affected by botrytis. Vinification and maturation take place in oak barrels, around 80% of which are new, for a period of 18 months. This dessert wine appears light and elegant with a fine balance between lively acidity, nice minerality and sweet notes of heather honey, white peach, pineapple and orange marmalade. The nose offers exotic aromas of mango, honey, pineapple, apricot, orange peel, lemon curd, ginger, saffron and vanilla. The taste is rich, sweet and full-bodied with a powerful balance of mineral acidity. Château Coutet in Barsac is known for producing sharp, powerful, crisp and lively wines. With a 1st cru status, they have 38 hectares of vineyards with old vines rooted in limestone and clay, and a microclimate ideal for botrytis. Dating back to the 13th century, the estate began wine production in 1643 and was previously owned by the Lur-Saluces family of Château d'Yquem. The vineyards are planted with 75% Semillon, 23% Sauvignon Blanc and the rest Muscadelle, with vines averaging 40 years old.