2003 Coutet Cuvee Madame
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The 2003 Coutet Cuvée Madame is a vintage that I last tasted in 2015. This has a concentrated nose with barley sugar, mandarin, marmalade and slight lanolin aromas. The palate has a viscous entry, beautifully balanced and although it seems to contain more residual sugar, there is in fact less than the 2009 or 2014 because of the higher total acidity. This is a Cuvée Madame of density and volume, filling the mouth with unctuous honeyed fruit with an almost Tokaji-like finish that is enthralling.
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Neal Martin
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
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The Château Coutet 2003 Cuvée Madame was picked on September 30 at between 22 and 26 degrees potential alcohol and is laden with a whopping 230 grams per liter of residual sugar, one of the highest ever. Aged in 100% new oak for 36 months, it has a powerful nose that perhaps does not quite have the finesse of the 2001 Cuvée Madame. Pineapple, quince and marmalade are to the fore with touches of beeswax developing, through I find more delineation on the 2001. The palate is rounded, soft textured, plump in the mouth, a boatload of botrytis here with notes of marmalade, quince, almond and honeycomb. It is a delicious Cuvée Madame that I suspect will be enjoyed best from release in September 2015 (on Aline's birthday incidentally.)
About the producer
Classified as a First Growth in 1855, this Barsac property has a history stretching back to the 14th century. Today it has 38.5 hectares of vineyard, producing brilliant sweet wines cut by taut acidity. In certain years, it produces Cuvée Madame, pure botrytised Semillon from its oldest vines.