With coaxing, the pale lemon colored 2016 Coutet slowly unfurls to give a myriad of preserved lemons, pineapple pastry, almond croissant, fresh ginger and lime blossoms scents with nuances of chalk dust, white pepper, star anise and cedar. Rich, seductive and yet exquisitely balanced, the satiny-textured palate has layer upon layer of citrus and savory notions, finishing very long and spicy.
A classic example of elegance allied to richness and intensity, Coutet's 1997
exhibits an expressive, floral, citrusy, honeyed nose, with notes of orange, Chinese
black tea, pineapple, and spicy oak. It is all finesse, with honey, medium to full body,
gorgeous delineation, and refreshing underlying acidity. It should drink well young.
Anticipated maturity: 2002-2020. (No tasting note was provided in Issue 128. We
have instead included the text of the tasting note from Issue 122)
The 2020 Coutet has a pale lemon-gold color, waltzing out of the glass with energetic notes of lemon tart, pink grapefruit, green mango and lime blossoms, with hints of chopped almonds, clover honey, candle wax and straw, plus a waft of sea spray. The palate is all class, featuring ethereal intensity and amazing poise, enveloped in a satiny texture and seamless acidity, finishing long and mineral laced. Currently, while it is just a tick or so down on the impressive 2019, I love the restraint and energy of this 2020 and wouldn't be surprised if it eventually spreads its wings and surpasses its showier sibling over time.
