2018 Coutet (Barsac)

There is clear quality here, with good persistency and some lovely minerality, if relatively little acidity. It has a strong golden colour, suggesting concentration, followed by luscious fruit flavours through the palate of apricot, peach, nectarine and cantaloupe melon, and bitter herbs on the finish. 50% new oak was used. A yield of just 3hl/ha. 94 points

70% Semillon, 25% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Muscadelle, yield 6 hl/ha. 50% new oak. RS 135 g/l, pH 3.92. Mid gold, cloudy. Orange and apricot suggest a high level of botrytis. Spicy, full-flavoured with those fruits and a touch of barley sugar. A slight grip in the texture. Bold and spicy and just enough freshness to balance. 16.5 points

Pale to medium lemon-gold colored, the 2018 Coutet has super intense, well-delineated notions of warm pineapple, green guava and baked pineapple with hints of mandarin peel, gingerbread, orange blossoms and lime leaves. The palate is alive with energetic tropical fruit and exotic spice notes with a lovely satiny texture and fantastic freshness, finishing with epic length. 93-95 points

A blend of 75% Semillon, 23% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle, the vineyard gave just 3.5 hl/ha in this vintage. The alcohol is 13%. It has a remarkable hue compared to its peers, a deep golden hue. The nose reflects this rich colour, with sweet golden apricot and peach fruits, an aromatic profile which translates onto the palate as a rich, heady combination of apricot, peach, praline and bright minerals. A very impressive composition, with a bright acid core keeping it fresh as well. Textural, with orange fruits, mango and peach, wrapped up in an imposing, sinewy and substantial character, but with lovely energy too. This is very good indeed. Tasted three times. The elevage will be in 50% new oak and 50% second-fill oak. 93-95 points