White peach, pineapple, white ginger, orange zest and green fig notes are clear and racy, while green almond, brioche, pear and yellow apple details wait in reserve. Offers stunning range and polish, showing terrific energy and cut on the finish. This just makes you feel special when you drink it. An estate that has been rising steadily for a while now. Best from 2016 through 2035. 2,915 cases made. -JM. $70/750ml.

Well balanced, this gorgeous ripe wine is packed full of fresh yellow fruits, ripe oranges and lemon. The fruit counterpoints the generous, dense structure, offering the dry core of botrytis. Acidity gives a line of freshness at the end. Drink from 2020.

This sweet white is quite oily, with dried-pineapple and mango character. It’s full-bodied, very sweet and juicy on finish. Thick and rich. Drink now or hold

Tasted blind at the Sauternes 2011 horizontal tasting. The 2011 Château Coutet has a distinctive but attractive bouquet: clear honey, rosewater, peach and just a touch of barley sugar that pins it down to Barsac. The palate is medium-bodied and viscous in texture. There is more harmony here than the nose, nicely understated with quince and barley sugar, dovetailing into an elegant finish. I would prefer just a touch more weight and persistence but otherwise this is a fine Sauternes even if it does not quite meet my expectations from barrel, primarily since it is just missing Coutet's usual razor-sharp acidity that imparts such electricity into its finest vintages. Nevertheless, this will provide much pleasure over the next two or three decades.