July 10, 2023 - Similar to my bottle for a few days ago, still lovely and enjoyable. 90-91
July 8, 2023 - Bottom of cork fell into the bottle... use a Durand or Ah-so next time. Golden color; aromatic nose with saffron, citrus, orange blossom, white flowers; palate is full bodied but with medium-plus acidity to provide balance, sweet but not overly so, medium alcohol, tons of white stone fruits with peach, papaya; medium length finish. Improving from my last bottles, this seems to have come out of its awkward teenage phase and is heading into very early maturity. Easily 1-2 decades ahead of it, but finally everything is integrated well and presents cohesively. The finish may always hold this back a little bit, and an enjoyable but not top vintage of Coutet. 90-91, likely 91 at peak.
2 hours later: this is sweet, yes, but it has a freshness and elegance which makes it very drinkable and which is a signature of Coutet. Despite being a richer and riper year, the medium-plus acidity adds a lot of freshness, even if this vintage lacks a little bit of length. Nice, and a marked improvement over drinking this a few years ago.
June 10, 2023 - I’m drinking this much later than the rest of you. I bought 12 halves three years ago in a “fire” sale after an ownership change. Have only just opened the wooden case. A lovely mouthful and I echo most of the previous comments. A little on the light side to my taste though.
December 31, 2022 - A New Year's Eve Gathering at our place: Our cork suffered the fate of several others as it broke at about three-quarters and ultimately had to be gently pushed into the bottle, which was then decanted through a cheese clothed filter. The color was a bright medium amber. Apricots and oranges filled the nose. These carried over onto the palate along with some peach and honey. The acidity was relatively balancing so the wine was not exceedingly sweet and paired nicely with our Peach Melba dessert. Will probably hold for many years.
December 25, 2022 - Really nice with the classic apricot, pineapple, nice concentration, finish, still young, drinking well. Bri's X-mas dinner
December 23, 2022 - Sauternes is somethink I don't drink often enough, but when I do I always regret it. This is a mervelous speciment.
Clean botrytis nose with a bit of developing creme brulle and all kinds of ripe tree fruits.
The fruit gets more focused in the mouth, just a completely clear canned peach, orange marmalade and honey. Very long with just enough acids to keep you going for more.
No rush to drink of course.
August 12, 2022 - Ready and Wonderful! Careful with the cork, though.....mine fell to pieces and had to put the wine through a strainer.
March 5, 2022 - Académie des Cinquante Claret Tasting (Restaurant Rijsel, Amsterdam, NL): Another very good showing for this wine. Rich and sweet but fresh and juicy, full-bodied and powerful but elegant and playful, very pure botrytis, excellent length.
January 15, 2022 - From half bottle. RIght after opening and drinking about half of the bottle, I put it back in the fridge. Boring fat botrytis Barsac. After 5 weeks (!) i fouind the bottle and drunk the rest. This was really good. Nail polish remover has vanished, fruit emerged and it seemed lighter and more focused. So give you bottles air :) 90-91
January 4, 2022 - Good but not exceptional . Reasonably dark colour and rich flavour without too much sweetness