The 2025 Coutet is a little more backward on the nose than usual, less giving. But there is wonderful purity of fruit, lemon thyme and clementine scents, touches of white flower. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous entry, playing with Coutet's trademark thread of acidity that emanates from the limestone soils. Quite minerally and spicy on the aftertaste, this is a marvelous Barsac from the Baly family. (NM)

Pale straw-colored, the 2025 Coutet needs a little swirling to coax out notes of pineapple upside-down cake and passion fruit, followed by hints of beeswax, crème brûlée, and lemon verbena with a waft of chalk dust. The concentrated palate has beautiful purity and depth with a lively backbone and a long, fragrant finish. (LPB)

Really fragrant and aromatic peach and pear notes on the nose and palate. Round, sweet, luscious and energetic, this has such a lovely presence in the mouth – ripe, forward, alive and sweet – orange juice, pineapple, mango and peaches. Lovely bitter tang on the finish too. Very assured. (GH)