2016 Opalie de Chateau Coutet
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Tasting notes
Gunsmoke and graphite give a distinctive opening, along with white peach and mango, balanced and juicy, with plenty of grip. A grilled brioche character appears after a few minutes in the glass, giving a lovely gourmet, moreish edge. 40% new oak. Great stuff, from 40-year-old vines that are planted in the thickest layers of clay and limestone, in the heart of this Barsac Premier Cru.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Very intense aromas of fresh grapefruit and lemon follow through to a medium body, fresh and clean acidity and a flavorful finish. Drink now.
A bottled wine, the 2016 Opalie de Coutet is a touch closed on the nose with subtle grapefruit, lemongrass and lime juice notes with hints of mandarin peel and fennel seed. Dry and medium-bodied, it bursts forth in the mouth with citrus and spice layers, finishing long and lively.
50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Sémillon. Yield 30 hl/ha. 8,000 vines/ha. Aged in 225-litre French oak barriques (40% new) for nine months. Herby and leafy at first. There’s a touch of oil and iodine on the nose too. Lighter in texture than Mouton's Aile d’Argent despite the higher alcohol, and there’s a bitter twang on the finish. Esoteric and rich, but the flavours have something rather earthy and rancid about them. (RH)
About the producer
Classified as a First Growth in 1855, this Barsac property has a history stretching back to the 14th century. Today it has 38.5 hectares of vineyard, producing brilliant sweet wines cut by taut acidity. In certain years, it produces Cuvée Madame, pure botrytised Semillon from its oldest vines.