Château Coutet - a winery in the best location

Perched on the southern slopes of the limestone cliffs of Saint-Émilion in southern France, the Château Coutet winery benefits from a prime location. When it comes to the terroir, as a winegrower and wine lover, you couldn't ask for anything better: the site consists of limestone, clayey and sandy soils, one third each. Both red and white grapes thrive on an area of ​​38 hectares: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. Merlot differs from the commonly cultivated grape variety and comes from a stock that is several centuries old. The estate is surrounded by other wineries which include Château Beausejour Duffau, Château Bellevue and Château Beausejour Becot.

The history of Chateau Coutet

Although Château Coutet is the largest winery in Barsac, its wines are still considered an insider tip. Château Coutet is located above Château Angelus in the Saint-Émilion wine-growing region near Bordeaux and is mentioned in documents dating back to 1599. The fortifications, which have survived to this day, were built by the English in the 13th century for defense during the Hundred Years' War. In the 17th century, the area under vines was expanded, and soon the white grape varieties characteristic of the location began to grow. In 1787, then US President Thomas Jefferson paid a visit to the estate and praised the quality of the wine. From 1855 to 1985 the winery was classified as a Grand Cru Classé, from 1985 we are dealing with a Grand Cru. The cultivation area has been owned by the Beaulieu family since 1680, and today the 14th generation is running the fortunes of the estate. For a long time, the current owners tried to have their wines certified as organic. In 2012, the winegrowers were successful in their project. But actually, the work here was organic right from the start, because pesticides and fertilizers were never used. Thus, this good is considered the oldest biological good in the growing area around Bordeaux. However, the older generations did not consider such certification worth striving for.

The wines of Château Coutet

Every year, the owners of the winery produce around 4,000 cases of sweet wine, which consists of 75% Semillon, 23% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle. This Grand Vin matures in barriques for 12 to 18 months. The white wines impress with their unique freshness, while the red wines are known for their tannic and powerful aromas. The grapes are harvested in several courses. The Cuvée Émeri, which is filled into handmade bottles, is particularly popular. In terms of taste, the wines are characterized by fruity and crisp notes. Occasionally, a dessert wine called Cuvée Madame is made from Sémillon grapes. The grapes are carefully selected by the winegrowers by hand.