Château Coutet
The history of Château Coutet dates back to the 13th century, hundreds of years before anyone even dreamt of planting vines on the then-marshy, now-prosperous Médoc. Some parts of the château date from that period, as is obvious from even the briefest examination of the property; these parts have thick walls of stone, towers and defensive castellations. Out among the northern plots of the vineyard sits the remains of a dovecot which towers above the vines (pictured below), also obviously ancient, dating from the same era. There has, however, been extensive augmentation and modification to the château over the ensuing centuries, including a 14th-century chapel, two 16th-century towers and a remodelling in the 18th century.
The most recent additions to the château have a somewhat finer appearance than the early parts, with shuttered windows, tiled roofs and witch’s hat turrets atop the 18th-century towers. Thus the château at Coutet is a dramatic blend of the ancient with the more modern. In a way this is makes a good analogy for the family that run the estate and the wine that they make; there is no shortage of awareness of the heritage of the estate and its place within the Sauternes firmament, but add in a bright new generation in the shape of Aline Baly, currently taking the helm, and this estate is certainly one that is looking forward rather than back.
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