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98+ Point Sauternes Landmark: 2023 Coutet

Aug 14, 2026, 6:16 PMklwines
98+ Point Sauternes Landmark: 2023 Coutet
"One of the highlights of the vintage..." "One of the highlights of the vintage..."
Friday Aug 14th, 2026 View in Browser
WA98+, WS97: A Remarkable Value in Bordeaux Luxury
"May well be one of the finest wines produced here in recent times." — Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
Ryan Moses
From the buyer
K&L Bordeaux Buyer · July 29, 2026
2023 is quietly shaping up to be one of the great modern vintages in Sauternes—a true classic that marries brightness and richness in a way that makes these wines both immediately approachable and deeply ageworthy. One of the region’s standout successes is Coutet in Barsac, a property run by the Mouton team and fully deserving of First Growth stature in 2023.

Beautifully expressive on the nose, it opens with orange blossom, honey, and lime pith. The palate follows through with superb balance among sweetness, acidity, and botrytis spice, delivering a vibrant mix of stone fruit, grilled pineapple, and Meyer lemon. There’s ample sweetness and structure to carry this for decades, yet I love how irresistibly delicious and open it is right now. Add in best‑in‑class press, and you have one of the most rewarding buys in the region—especially in the wonderfully convenient 375ml format.
2023 Coutet, Sauternes (375ml)
Top Pick
2023 Coutet, Sauternes (375ml)
98+WA / 97DC / 97JS / 97WS / 96JA
$29.99
Critic reviews
98+ pts · Wine Advocate One of the highlights of the vintage, the 2023 Coutet is exquisite, revealing aromas of pear, white peach, beeswax, pineapple and ripe apricot intertwined with spices and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and concentrated yet without heaviness, it is fleshy and generous, built around an enveloping, vibrant core of fruit framed by racy acidity that extends into an endless, ethereal finish. Marrying the inherent vivacity of Barsac’s limestone terroirs with the concentration of the year, this ranks among my favorite renditions and may well be one of the finest wines produced here in recent times. (YC) (03/2026)
97 pts · Decanter Bright and lively, great tang with a subtle sweetness - more focused on citrus juice, orange rind, a touch of pineapple and some vanilla bean. Round, great persistency and just general zing without being too much of any one thing. Lovely precision, finesse and drinkability. An electric 2023. (GH) (01/2026)
97 pts · James Suckling Exceptional nose of white pepper, dried peaches and dried mushrooms with sweet, exuberant undertones. The palate is medium- to full-bodied and lusciously sweet, lifted by bright acidity that carries the wine to a balanced finish. Not cloying at all. 95% semillon, 4% sauvignon blanc and 1% muscadelle. Already great, but will improve substantially with time. (12/2025)
97 pts · Wine Spectator This delivers a frank, inviting and beautifully pure burst of pineapple in both gelée and sorbet form, holding center stage while orange blossom, elderflower, jasmine and green almond notes swirl around. Packed and dense but fresh and crackling with energy as everything spills through the lengthy finish with focus and clarity. A beauty. (JM) (05/2026)
96 pts · JA Coutet is delivering exceptional wines year after year, and this is right up there as one of the best of the 2023 vintage. Love the twist of acidity that runs right through the grated ginger and white peach, totally delicious, lingering and sleek, with fennel, anis, grilled pineapple, dried mango and saffron. Harvest between September 20 and October 11. Waves of flavour that keep you engaged and smiling. (01/2026)
 
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