This product is no longer available. Please choose another vintage above.
Chateau Coutet 2017
-
Blend
26% Cabernet Franc
6% Cabernet Sauvignon
8% Malbec
60% Merlot - Country France
- Region Loire Valley
- Appellation Savennieres
- UPC 8 73964 00002 3
Background
Chateau Coutet is one of the most exciting estates in the Aquitaine Wine Portfolio. Considered the best-kept secret in St. Emilion, it is a sleeping beauty that is in the process of being awaken. Well located in the heart of the golden triangle of St. Emilion, this estate of 13 hectares (in one
plot) it is literally squeezed between 3 classified growths of St. Emilion: Chateau l'Angelus, Chateau Beausejour Becot and Chateau Beausejour Duffau Lagarosse. Not surprisingly, Coutet's unique combination of limestone, clay, and sand is the terroir of a grand cru classe (it was a classified growth in the beginning of the 20th century). Coutet, which has been in the DavidBeaulieu family since 1537, was inherited by the present owners, when their 104 year old aunt passed away in the late 1990s. Because the aunt was born in the 19th century, she had no notion of pesticides, fertilizers or other "modern inventions." So, by default, the estate remains "organic," and is one of the few properties in St. Emilion (along with Cheval Blanc) that is currently going through formal organic certification, which takes 2 years. The pureness of this estate is so remarkable, that it is the home of rare tulips - that date back to the Roman times - and can be found only in the Coutet vineyards. Professor Dennis Dubourdieu, renowned oenologist and the head of the Faculty of Oenology at Bordeaux University, became the winemaker in 2012. With his collaboration, we believe that Coutet will reach its full potential. Enjoy it before the rest of the world discovers it! ! !
Vinification
- Harvest: Manual harvest of each parcel at when it is most ripe, followed by a rigorous manual sort.
- Winemaking process: Thermo-regulated cellar and stainless
-steel vats. Fermentation and maceration is done by varietals and by age of vines. Daily pumping overs. Maceration lasts 3-4 weeks to ensure optimal extraction of color, aromas and tannins.
- Ageing: 18 months in 1/3 new French oak barrels
- Winemaking process: Thermo-regulated cellar and stainless
-steel vats. Fermentation and maceration is done by varietals and by age of vines. Daily pumping overs. Maceration lasts 3-4 weeks to ensure optimal extraction of color, aromas and tannins.
- Ageing: 18 months in 1/3 new French oak barrels
Viticulture
Grape varieties: 60% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Malbec
- Vineyard area: 12.5 hectares in one continuous lot located on the top of a hill and with outstanding southern exposure. The prestigious classified growths that surround Coutet are at the bottom of the hill. (See map of parcels and location.)
- Terroir: Limestone on the elevated plateau, clay-limestone on the slope, and sand-clay at the base of the slope.
- Average age of the vines: 50 years. One parcel of pre-phylloxera Merlot vines.
- Planting density: 6,000 vines per hectare
- Yield: 38 hectoliters per hectare
- Cultivation: Sustainable winemaking practices. All work in the vineyard is done by hand. No chemical treatment (weed killers or pesticides) have ever been used at Coutet. The biodiversity of the flora surrounding the vines allows for a balanced microecology which lets natural predators keep pests in check. The work done on the soil is just as gentle; grass left between rows of vines provides contributes to healthy microbiology in the vineyard, helps limit erosion, and absorbs surface moisture, which forces vine roots deeper into the terroir.
Natural composts are applied only when needed.
- Vineyard area: 12.5 hectares in one continuous lot located on the top of a hill and with outstanding southern exposure. The prestigious classified growths that surround Coutet are at the bottom of the hill. (See map of parcels and location.)
- Terroir: Limestone on the elevated plateau, clay-limestone on the slope, and sand-clay at the base of the slope.
- Average age of the vines: 50 years. One parcel of pre-phylloxera Merlot vines.
- Planting density: 6,000 vines per hectare
- Yield: 38 hectoliters per hectare
- Cultivation: Sustainable winemaking practices. All work in the vineyard is done by hand. No chemical treatment (weed killers or pesticides) have ever been used at Coutet. The biodiversity of the flora surrounding the vines allows for a balanced microecology which lets natural predators keep pests in check. The work done on the soil is just as gentle; grass left between rows of vines provides contributes to healthy microbiology in the vineyard, helps limit erosion, and absorbs surface moisture, which forces vine roots deeper into the terroir.
Natural composts are applied only when needed.
