Vinous – Hot Body, Cold Blood: 2025 Bordeaux En Primeur

Château Coutet 2025: 95-97/100
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 marvellous Barsac from the Baly family.

Cuvée Opalie 2025: 91-93/100
The 2025 Opalie offers grapefruit, lemon thyme and light crushed stone scents on the nose, well defined as usual and with a little more energy than the preceding vintage. The palate is well balanced, with a tangy entry. Spicier than its peers, it gently builds in weight towards a cohesive, Sémillon-driven finish. Lovely.

Neal Martin