Château Coutet Château Coutet Château Coutet is a "Premier Cru Classé" (French: First Growth) sweet wine from the Sauternes-Barsac appellation located in Barsac, in the southern part of France’s Bordeaux vineyards. Château Coutet is one of the oldest Sauternes producing vineyards, and is described by David Peppercorn as a "twin" of Barsac's other "Premier cru" estate, Château Climens. Coutet also produces a second wine, Chartreuse de Coutet, a dry white wine named Vin Sec de Chateau Coutet and a cuvée in vintages of exceptional quality, Cuvée Madame. The estate was acquired in 1643 by Charles le Guerin, Lord of Coutet, a counselor
Sauvignon blanc to form a tart white wine. In the Sauternes region, the grape is blended with Sémillon to make the late harvest wine, "Sauternes". The composition of Sauvignon blanc varies from producer and can range from 5-50% with the "Premier Cru Supérieur" Château d'Yquem using 20%. A traditional practice often employed in Sauternes is to plant one Sauvignon Blanc vine at regular intervals among rows of Sémillon. However, Sauvignon blanc's propensity to ripen 1–2 weeks earlier can lead the grapes to lose some of their intensity and aroma as they hang longer on the vine. This has prompted more producers to