Bordeaux 2014: Coutet continues Sauternes rush

Château Coutet is the latest in a string of Sauternes producers to release this week, with no change on its 2013 price.

The premier cru classé released at €24 a bottle ex-négociant, no change on its 2013 price. it is unlikely that this will make it more affordable than past vintages.

Unfortunately, despite their quality and generally fair pricing (Coutet for example has cut its price by 50% since 2009) for the work and effort that goes into making good sweet wines, the Sauternes tend not to attract too much attention during en primeurs and are, according to Liv-ex, some of the worst performers for returns (if that’s what you’re after).

Coutet has suffered particularly badly, over the last 10 vintages its average return has been -22% and every vintage except the 2004 has declined in value since release from as little as 6% (the 2013) to as much as 44% (the 2010).

The lack of interest Sauternes usually generates may be the impetuous to release earlier this year before more reds appear and they get lost in the mix.

Already this week Doisy-Daëne and L’Extravagant, Doisy-Vedrines, Suduiraut and La Tour Blanche (so far the only wine to have declined in price) have come out, with Gazin, Hosanna and Prieuré-Lichine being the only major red wines to have emerged.