Château Coutet

A 1^er Grand Cru Classé of Sauternes synonymous with family history of France.

The Château Coutet is one of the oldest wineries in the region. It produces sweet wines AOC Barsac.

Back in the history of Château Coutet is a complex story closely linked to the history of France. Everything starts in the thirteenth century, at which time the oldest building of the Château Coutet, that is to say, the tower of the present castle was built. At the time far from fulfilling the same function today it served as a military fort in the English army of Guyenne. Indeed at that time Eleanor of Aquitaine (heiress of the Duchy of Aquitaine) who divorced King Louis VII of France and is married to the future King of England (Henry II) the duchy of Aquitaine was attached to the crown thereof. Thus the French Aquitaine remained until July 17, 1453, which is the date that ended the battle Castillon marking the end of the Hundred Years War (French vs.English) and ending three centuries of belonging to the kingdom of Aquitaine to England.

Back to the story. It is only three centuries later, in 1643, the winemaking history of Château Coutet began with the planting of the first vines. This is also the same date that the chapel was built in the courtyard of the Castle.

In 1788, Gabriel Barthélémy de Filhot, owner of the Chateau Filhot (2^nd Grand Cru Classé) and also of the Château de Malle (2nd Grand Cru) Sauternes and President under the old regime of the Bordeaux Parliament acquires the domain. Six years later, in full French Revolution, Gabriel Barthélémy de Filhot was guillotined. One of his daughters had married a few years ago, a family member of Lur Saluces, property and Château Filhot (2nd Grand Cru classé) and De Malle (2^nd Grand Cru classé) then returned to the Marquis de Lur Saluces. This was already the owner of Château d’Yquem (1er Grand Cru classé Supérieur). This is also in the cellars of Château Yquem where the Coutet’ wine was fermented until 1893. For the story, legend says that there is a tunnel connecting Coutet to Yquem.

In 1893 the Marquis de Lur-Saluces is transforming barn of the Château Coutet in cellars. So now the wines are vinified and property in buildings Coutet. Thereafter, each generation added its stone buildings surrounding the old military tower will be built.

In 1923 the Lur-Saluces family separates the property Coutet sells Louis Guy, a manufacturer of hydraulic presses. The domain will remain in the Guy family until 1977 when the castle was bought by an Alsatian family: Baly.

Upon arrival the Baly family started on the restoration of the wine and the vineyard buildings. A few years later it is the Castle itself and the chapel was renovated.

Today to assist in the technical and commercial parties the Baly family benefits from the collaboration of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA. Invaluable to them each year enables the further development of Barsac’ wine in the greatest respect for the “Coutet style“.

Where does the name chateau Coutet come from?

“Coutet” is derived from the word “couteau” (in English: knife). The property has been called many centuries ago in reference to the nature of its “very sharp, bright and nervous” wines. This is due to the local limestone clay, as well as a high level of grape varieties Semillon.

Regarding the name of the new cuvée Opalie de Château Coutet, dry white wine from the property, it is derived from the Latin name “opalus” which is the name of a precious stone. He was chosen to express the fact that the wine is “made up of the best people” and it is a fresh wine.

Meeting with Aline Baly (daughter of Marcel Baly): I asked, was it always natural that one day you would resume the family tradition?

“This is a result of a call from my uncle to come to London to help present the property in English (at a tasting Decanter) that the ‘click’ was born. In the late summer of that year I announced that I will return to France in 2008 to work at the Chateau. Since that date I have worked alongside my uncle and he taught me all his know-how. ”

If you (Aline Baly) had to describe your vision of a winemaker in a few words, what would you say?

“It is a profession of passion in which we must invest 100%. We have the right to make mistakes but not again. This is a craft that is passed from generation to generation has not the right to waive, to give up even though some years are harder than others. Being a winemaker is challenging each year to better plan for the future “(Aline Baly)

What best describes the atmosphere here?

“The family spirit! And all this from my uncle and I used between the Castle and us. For most parents already worked here before them. “(Aline Baly)

What are you looking to do each year for winemaking of the chateau Coutet?

For the sweet wine of Château Coutet what is sought is “fresh first (obtained through local property). Youth in our wines citrus aromas dominate, after several years of aging they develop notes of citrus zest. After 30 years they express aromas of marmalade orange and spicy notes “. (Aline Baly)

Regarding the dry white wine Opalie of Château Coutet “freshness is always important as a good acidity and a long finish.” (Aline Baly)

Side stories:

For the record in 1787, Thomas Jefferson, a great lover of sweet wines of Sauternes and future President of the United States of America, pointed the Chateau Coutet as “the best Sauternes Barsac.”

Always side anecdote, Chateau Coutet team like using ancestral techniques. Even with regard to the field of meteorological preaching! A Coutet to know the weather, it’s easy! Do not trust in Météo- France but go check out the first step of the stairs of the tower. If it is dark and wet color, that means it will rain! With eight centuries of existence it has never disappointed.