Chateau Coutet (Winemaking, 8 Best Vintages, Prices 2024)

Chateau Coutet is one of the oldest wineries in the Sauternes Barsac appellation and has the longest cellar in the region. This First Growth estate is best known for its sweet, collectible Semillon blends.

What’s the secret behind the golden nectar made in Chateau Coutet? How’s it made, and which bottles should you buy now?

Let’s find out all about Chateau Coutet, including its fascinating history, viticultural practices, and the best bottles to buy in 2022. We’ll also explore how you can begin investing in these fine wines.

A Quick Glance at Chateau Coutet

Besides the longest cellar, Chateau Coutet also has the largest vineyard in the Barsac region of France. 

(Now, don’t confuse this with Chateau Coutet in St. Emilion, which produces an exclusive Merlot and Cabernet Franc red wine blend called Cuvee Emri.) 

Spanning a rich heritage of multiple generations, Chateau Coutet is famous for marrying the classic and the modern in their remarkable labels. The vitality and sharp flavors of the wines embody the spirit of its Gascon name, Coutet (meaning knife.)

The major wines produced at this Barsac Chateau are:

• Chateau Coutet: The eponymous Grand Vin is a blend of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. The estate produces about 4,500 cases of the grand vin a year. 
• Chartreuse de Coutet: This is the second wine made of the same grapes as the Grand Vin.
• Cuvee Madame: This fine cuvee is produced exclusively with Semillon. The Chateau makes only about 1,000 bottles of this wine every year.
• Opalie de Chateau Coutet: This is a dry white of the Chateau made using Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Opalie de Chateau Coutet wines are best served young.

The Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855  recognized the estate as a 1er Cru Classe, just a level below the esteemed Grand Cru First Growths of the Sauternes appellation.

Now let’s explore the origin and evolution of this estate.

The Origins Of Chateau Coutet

The original Chateau built in the 13th century was a military fort. Other Chateau Coutet landmark constructions include a 14th century chapel and two towers erected in the 16th century. 

The winemaking history of Chateau Coutet began in 1643 when Charles Le Guérin (a counselor of the Bordeaux parliament) set up one of the earliest vineyards in the Sauternes Barsac appellation. 

The Chateau Coutet vineyard estate remained within his family till 1788.

In 1788, Gabriel-Barthelemy-Romain de Filhot acquired the Chateau. However, during the French Revolution in 1794, the estate became State property. 

Later, Marquis Romain Bertrand de Lur Saluces, the son of a de Filhot family member, inherited it. De Lur Saluces also owned Chateau d'Yquem, Chateau Filhot, and Chateau de Malle at the time, making him one of the most famous sweet white wine producers at that time.

In 1923, the hydraulic wine press manufacturer, Henry-Louis Guy, bought the Chateau and introduced vertical presses at the winery. 

The Chateau Coutet estate was then bought by the Rolland family who sold it to the Baly family in 1977. Currently, Aline Baly is the managing director of the Chateau.

Former US President Thomas Jefferson, who served as an ambassador in France between 1785 and 1789, called Chateau Coutet "the best Sauternes in Barsac.”

Let’s take a look at the viticulture and winemaking practices of the Chateau.

Chateau Coutet Viticulture and Terroir

Chateau Coutet is a Premier Cru Classe (First Growth) vineyard often compared to another First Growth Barsac estate, Chateau Climens. 

Chateau Coutet is located at the triangular intersection between the Atlantic ocean, the Ciron river, and the inland forests, which have shaped its unique terroir.

The 38.5-hectare Chateau Coutet vineyard is divided into 48 parcels.

The grape varieties grown in the vine plantation are Semillon (75%), Sauvignon Blanc (23%), and Muscadelle (2%).

The terroir is composed of sand, red clay, and limestone soils, with vines planted on 19-meter high hillside slopes. Their roots run deep and extract minerals, making the grape varieties rich, fresh, and flavorful. 

Botrytis (noble rot) enhances the flavor complexity and sweetness of the grapes. However, the botrytis (noble rot) also reduces the grape yields significantly. 

The vine density at the estate is about 8,000 vines per hectare. The Chateau Coutet vineyard has old vines with an average vine age of 60 years.

Chateau Coutet Winemaking

The grape varietals are hand-harvested when they reach optimal ripeness levels. 

The harvested grapes are crushed using traditional vertical presses as well as modern machinery. 

During fermentation, the different grape varieties ferment in separate French oak barrels

The fermented wine cuvee is aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels. 

This is followed by the masterful blending of the Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle finished wines.

Fun fact: Chateau Coutet’s 110 meter long winery cellar can store over 860 barrels. 

Let’s discover the best Chateau Coutet wines you can buy this year.

Best Chateau Coutet Wines to Buy in 2022

Here’s a list of some of our favorite Chateau Coutet bottles:

1. Chateau Coutet, 1921 

This copper-hued wine tastes extraordinarily young for its age. Its diverse palate includes balanced acidity with warmer notes of apricot and caramel. 

Price of Chateau Coutet, 1921: $1,342

2. Chateau Coutet, 1900 

This sweet wine has white flower and fruit aromas offset by a rich flavor profile of vanilla, pineapple, superb ripe honey, and chocolate. It pairs excellently with shellfish, chicken, pasta, cheeses, and desserts.

Price of Chateau Coutet, 1900: $1,012

3. Chateau Coutet, 1926 

This Bordeaux wine has a deep golden color with hints of fruit and exotic nectars and high acidity. Its tasting notes reveal traces of pineapple, walnuts, spicy nutmeg, vanilla, and chocolate.

Price of Chateau Coutet, 1926: $915

4. Chateau Coutet, 1937

This amber-colored sweet wine, brimming with freshness and minerality, has hints of orange blossom, creme brulee, and marmalade flavors. The matured vintage has a syrupy mouthfeel, balanced acidity, and a palate of citrus fruit and spicy nutmeg.

Price of Chateau Coutet, 1937: $854

5. Chateau Coutet, 1928 

This Bordeaux wine exudes minerality and distinct aromas of white flower, citrus fruit, superb ripe honey, and creme brulee with bright acidity. 

Price of Chateau Coutet, 1928: $701

6. Chateau Coutet, 1947 

This great wine has an intense nose of orange blossom and mint with mild sweetness. The palate has delectable fruit notes with rich tannins and balanced acidity.

Price of Chateau Coutet, 1947: $716

7. Chateau Coutet Cuvee Madame, 1990

This amber wine has distinct aromas of spice and a palate of candied fruits, exotic nectars, pineapple, and marmalade flavors. It works as a great complement to seafood dishes, including lobster, shrimp, and crab. 

Price of Chateau Coutet Cuvee Madame, 1990: $629

8. Chartreuse de Coutet, 1994

This sweet white wine is the ideal dessert wine for finishing off any hearty meal and has good acidity. The flavor profile is diverse, with warmer notes of honey, candied fruits, and apricot.

Price of Chartreuse de Coutet, 1994: $66

Now, is Chateau Coutet a good investment wine? 

Let’s find out.

Investing in Chateau Coutet

The grand vin presents remarkable youthfulness and freshness, even after aging for a few decades. It develops a harmonious bouquet of flavors when aged for over 10 or 20 years. 

Cuvee Madame is also highly sought-after. The Cuvee Madame wines become more vibrant after cellaring for two decades or more.

Many Chateau Coutet vintages have shown an appreciable increase in value over the years:

• Between March and April of 2021, the price of Chateau Coutet 1948, increased by 28%, from $460 to $589.
• Chateau Coutet 1966 appreciated by about 25% from $169 to $211 between 2020 and 2021.

Here are some exciting auction results for Chateau Coutet:

• At a 2021 Sotheby’s auction, a 4-bottle lot of 1906 Chateau Coutet wine sold for $7,380+. A bottle of the 1916 Chateau Coutet sold for $851.
• In a 2013 Bonhams sale, a lot with 3 bottles of Chateau Coutet, 1947, and a single bottle of Chateau Coutet, 1957, sold for $ 1,071.

Now how do you invest in these desirable wines? 

Vinovest can help you with building your portfolio of high-return fine wines.

Buy Chateau Coutet and Other Collectible Wines Through Vinovest

Vinovest is an onlinewine investment platform that assists you in building a portfolio of fine wines that are known to outperform the market. You can buy, store, and sell authentic wines from prestigious wine brands around the world.

And if you prefer to have your favorite wines delivered to your doorstep, Vinovest will ensure quick and easy shipping as well.

How Does It Work?

1. Sign up with Vinovest.
2. Identify your investing style by answering a quick questionnaire. 
3. Maintain a balance of at least $1,000 in your account.
4. Vinovest’s algorithm will help you find the best investment wines for you. And, you’re all set to create a winning wine portfolio!

Why should you use Vinovest?

Benefits

It provides various advantages to wine lovers and investors.

1. Easy Buying and Selling Using AI-driven Technology

Vinovest’s AI-based platform makes it convenient to buy and sell fine wines like Chateau Coutet or any others. 

2. Best Prices

You are always assured the best possible price on your favorite wines. That’s because Vinovest buys authentic wines directly from trusted winemakers, wine exchanges, and wine merchants, eliminating third-party interference.

3. Curated Portfolio by an Expert Wine Advisory Team

No worries if you aren’t a wine specialist! Vinovest’s expert team of sommeliers and data scientists will help you build a profitable portfolio of collectible wines, including Grand Cru Classe and other premium bottles.    

4. Authenticity and Provenance 

Each wine you buy through Vinovest is authentic as they trace its provenance before you make your purchase.

5. Optimal Storage

Vinovest stores your wine collection in secure, bonded warehouses. The storing facilities maintain optimal temperature, light, humidity, and vibration levels round the clock. 

This way, you get easy access to a wine cellar without the hassle of maintaining one yourself.

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Vinovest provides you a complete insurance policy at market rate. Its storing facilities come equipped with 24/7 security cameras that watch over your wines. 

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These high-end services are available to you at surprisingly reasonable rates with no hidden costs. Vinovest charges a 2.5% annual fee (1.9% for portfolios over $50,000). This covers wine buying and selling, fraud alert, storage, insurance, and management of your portfolio. 

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These premium wine storage facilities don’t charge excise duty or VAT. These significant tax benefits are rightfully passed on to you.

Chateau Coutet: The Ultimate Dessert Wine for Your Collection

Chateau Coutet wines, including the lesser-known Chartreuse de Coutet and Cuvee Madam, are highly desirable, flavorsome vintages. The Grand Vin of the Chateau also opens up a world of investment opportunities for wine enthusiasts.

If you’re ready to try your hand at wine investment, don’t wait anymore and sign up with Vinovest today!