Coutet Sauternes-Barsac 2003 375ml

95 points Wine Spectator: "Honey, apple tart and lemon rind. Full-bodied, medium-sweet and very spicy with intense flavors of mace, apple and honey. Long finish. Thick and powerful. Best after 2010. (3/31/06)"

94 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The 2003 from the Baly family, from a half bottle, presents a concentrated aromatic profile reminiscent of sweet orange fruit, with smoky intensity and notes of marmalade and barley sugar. Perhaps unsurprisingly the palate presents a voluptuous and richly toasted style, with layer upon layer of grilled orange slices and praline, supported by a prominent phenolic grip, limestone freshness and a fine sense of bitterness. It does wrap this up with a thread of acidity, noteworthy for the vintage, although it is far from the most strident. Nevertheless, for 2003 I think this shows really well, and although drinkable now I think with more time in bottle this will show ongoing positive development. That’s not true of a lot of wines in this vintage. Drink now, or hold, although he former might be wiser. (Apr 2023)"

92 points Robert Parker: no tasting note was given. (Apr 2006)

92 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Bright yellow-gold. Sexy aromas of orange liqueur and spices. Sweet, round and pure, with a lush texture verging on unctuous. And yet this is wonderfully aromatic and light on its feet. Very ripe and very complex in the mouth, with harmonious acids framing the flavors of orange oil, peach and spicy oak. Finishes very long, ripe and seamless, with lingering notes of oaky vanilla and spice. This has been a knockout since the outset. (Jul/Aug 2006)"

92 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guide to the Wines of France: "(Sweet White; 2011 up to 2030). Pale hue, an elegant and subtle wine of remarkable purity, despite a finish that is slightly less spectacular than that of others. It deftly hides its powerful richness under a citrus-fruit freshness. Thanks to skillful vinification, it is sure to age long and slowly. (2011)"