South of the city of Bordeaux, lies a region unlike any other in the world. Here, under the right conditions and in the best years, celebrated chateaux produce the world's longest-lived sweet wines. Read more
Château Coutet Winery Guide
EXPLORE ALL OUR RECOMMENDED FRENCH WINERIES
Last updated: November 24, 2023
Winery Overview
Château Coutet is one of the oldest estates in the Sauternes wine country, with a history that dates back to the 13th century. Indeed, visitors to the Château will be shown the thirteenth-century tower and fourteenth-century chapel, a reminder of its long and varied life. Few other properties in the Barsac appellation of Bordeaux can offer such an interesting history or make such fabulous wines! The estate even acted as a military center in the 100 Years’ War. How many wineries today could make that claim?
The documented history of the Château began in 1643 when the estate was brought by an infamous politician, Charles de Guerin. Then in 1788, Coutet was purchased by Gabriel Barthelemy Romain de Filhot, who also owned Filhot. The poor man only had another five years to enjoy his properties, as he was guillotined during the French Revolution. The Château would change hands several times again before being brought in 1977 by the present owners, the Baly family of Strasbourg. Today, Philippe Baly is the ever-effusive face of Coutet, welcoming wine lovers to the property with a broad smile alongside his charming niece Aline, who recently returned from the States and is famed for her warm hospitality.
Not only is the Château a beautiful and captivating place to visit, but it is also renowned as a top producer in the region. Their vineyards in Barsac, which are unaltered in location and extent since 1855, surround the Château. The terroir is complex, with a mixture of silt, fine gravel, and sand in the soil. The lucky ones who have tasted the wines speak of vanilla, honey, and cinnamon aromas – a fine wine indeed. If the region needs an ambassador to the world for the quality of its dessert wines, then it knows where to look!
Wines produced
-
Château Coutet (Grand Vin) (Sweet White Wine)
75% Semillon, 23% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Muscadelle, 16 months in new French oak (50%). -
Chartreuse de Coutet (second wine of the property) (Sweet White Wine)
75% Semillon, 23% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Muscadelle, 50% of the harvest is bottled as the second wine. Less concentration and power than the first wine. -
Cuvée Madame (Prestige wine of the property)(Sweet White Wine)
75% Semillon, 23% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Muscadelle, 3 Years in new French oak (50%).
Winery Contact Details
Château Coutet
Barsac33720 Bordeaux
France
Email: [email protected]
Tel +33 556 27 15 46
Fax +33 556 27 02 20 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
AOC Barsac-Sauternes / First Growth
Founded
1643
Area under Vine
38 ha
Age of vines
35 years+
Oak barrel origin
French
Winemaker
Laurier Girardot
Owner
Philippe and Dominique Baly
Production
80,000 bottles
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
-
Sauvignon Blanc
The sauvignon blanc grape varietal, originally from the Bordeaux region of France, is now one of the world's most loved white varieties.
Find out more -
Semillon
Explore the allure of the Semillon grape & its legendary connection to Sauternes. Unveil the history & flavors of this captivating varietal. Cheers!
Find out more -
Muscadelle
Muscadelle is a white grape varietal, primarily used for blending in the production of sweet white wines in the Bordeaux region.
Find out more
Winery Appellations
Author
Further Reading: Discover More Related Blog Content
More information
If you would like us to customize an exclusive luxury tour, contact us and let us know your travel plans. We offer luxury food and wine tours for private groups of a mininium two guests. In addition, all of our private, chauffeured tours are available year-round upon request.
