2006 Château Coutelin-Merville, Saint-Estèphe

Owned and passed down by the Estager family since 1904, Chateau Coutelin-Merville is a humble estate that oversees 25 hectares of vines throughout Saint-Estèphe, with some parcels wedged between Montrose and Cos d’Estournel! In 1932, Bordeaux wine merchants came together with the backing of their local Chambers of Commerce and Agriculture to create a prestigious list of standout estates, the “Cru Bourgeois.” You’ll find a large number of châteaux—Coutelin-Merville among them—holding this quality designation throughout Haut-Médoc, but don’t mistake that for easy club access: Each member is reviewed annually by an overseeing board that puts them through a rigorous three-stage evaluation process.  One of Coutelin-Merville’s secrets to crafting delicious wines is a heavy proportion of Merlot (~50%) followed by roughly equal parts Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc. Another is a patient, delicate touch in the winery: a cool fermentation takes place over a three-week period in concrete vessels an