2017 Château Coutet, 1er Grand Cru Classé, Barsac

As at Doisy-Daëne, this family-owned property was able, thanks to passionate commitment, to protect their best plots from frost devastation. They had ploughed their soils, allowing pebbles and stones to accumulate warmth and reflect it back onto the plants, and they burnt fires between the rows, to raise the surrounding temperatures. The result was a half-sized harvest of intensely noble-rotten grapes, picked during 5 separate passages through the vineyards, between 21st September and 18th October. The final blend was assembled from 75% Semillon, 23% Suvignon blanc and 2% Muscadelle. Green-golden in colour, this has pungent, nobly-rotten aromas which are clean and fresh. Palate shows lively concentration with silky texture and immense charm, and fine acidity balancing the wine’s natural sweetness. Great balance, for a sumptuous drinking 2020-2035+.