Chateau Coutet, Barsac-Sauternes

About

An English fortress built in the 13th Century, this citadel became a wine producing estate in 1643. Previously owned by the Lur-Saluces family, the property was home to Chateau d'Yquem's horse stables, transformed in the late 19th Century into a 110-meter long cellar. Vertical wine presses from the 1920s, a 14th Century chapel and a Bordeaux cobblestone courtyard are a testament to the estate's rich architectural and regional history. The Château Coutet vines' deep roots extract elements from its terroir to give the grapes freshness, richness and strength. For this reason the estate carries the name "Coutet," derived from the Gascon's word for knife, to signify the fresh, lively and crisp palate that is the wine's signature style.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes