Chateau Couhins Pessac Leognan Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Couhins Chateau

Learn everything about Chateau Couhins, Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux with wine tasting notes and wine and food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property and information on winemaking and vineyards. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Couhins History, Overview

The name Chateau Couhins came about in the 17th century. It’s based on an ancient Gascon word, Couhins, meaning borders or limits. Edouard Gasqueton who also owned Chateau Calon Segur in St. Estephe managed Chateau Couhins at the time of the 1959 Graves Classification.

Chateau Couhins is probably the sole Bordeaux estate that was only classified for its white Bordeaux wine. Today, Chateau Couhins is not to be confused with Chateau Couhins-Lurton, owned by the Lurton family, which produces both red and white wine from Pessac Leognan.

In 1968, the original Couhins vineyard was divided into two parts. The Lurton family retained control of half the estate, renaming it Couhins-Lurton. The remaining portion of the property continued as Chateau Couhins which was sold in 1969 to the INRA, National Institute for Agricultural Research.

The INRA is involved in many facets of scientific research related to grape growing. Most recently, the INRA has become a leader in vineyard environmental protection as well as pest management in the vines.

In 2009, a complete renovation of the chateau was completed, turning the estate into one of the most modern-looking structures in the Bordeaux wine regions. The futuristic, green, energy-efficient building, designed by the architects Lanoire and Courrian is completely covered in what looks like polished mirrors.

The exterior of Chateau Couhins is not the only modernization taking place at the estate. In 2009, Chateau Couhins became one of the first proponents utilizing infra-red readings which allow for the measurement of the polyphenol content found in the grapes.

The following year, in 2010, Chateau Couhins began participating with several other vintners in the EMS approach, Environmental Management System.

In a continuing effort at modernization and testing new technologies, Chateau Couhins became one of the first Bordeaux wine produces to begin using GPS positioning technology in their vineyards allowing them to keep track of the progress of every vine, one at a time.

Chateau Couhins Vineyard, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 32-hectoliter vineyard of Chateau Couhins is divided so that 22 hectares are planted for red wine grapes and 10 hectares are reserved for white wine grapes. In 2022, Chateau Couhins was certified as being 100% Organic.

For the red wine grapes, the vineyard is planted with 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. For the white wine grapes, the vineyard is planted to 95% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Sauvignon Gris. However, this is changing. In 2023 Chateau Couhins planted 1.5 hectares with Semillon. It is expected that the Semillon should start appearing in the blend as early as 2030. The terroir is gravel, clay, and limestone soils.

To produce the red wines of Chateau Couhins, the Pessac Leognan estate carries out a pre-fermentation maceration that takes between 4 to 5 days. The major part of the extraction process and the pumping over takes place during the pre-fermentation and fermentation stages. The wine is vinified in traditional oak vats and stainless steel and aged in an average of 30% new, French oak barrels and foudres.

To produce the white wine of Chateau Couhins, the grapes are placed inside a cold room that is kept between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius overnight. The next day, the berries are either crushed directly or most often they are de-stemmed before vatting takes place and the maceration starts. Fermentation takes place in a mix of 60% thermoregulated vats and 40%, French oak barrels from Burgundy.

Chateau Couhins produces 8,000 cases of red wine and 4,000 cases of white wine per year. Previously, the second wine was called Couhins La Gravette for both the red and white wines. Today, the wine is sold under the name of La Dame de Couhins for the red and white wine.

The Best Vintages of Chateau Couhins are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, and 2000. Although it is important to note that vintages can vary as to their quality between the white wine and the reds with as in some years, the reds are markedly better and in other vintages the whites are superior.

When to Drink Chateau Couhins, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Couhins can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 hour. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Couhins is usually better with at least 3-6 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Couhins offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 6-12 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Couhins, with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Couhins is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The red wine of Chateau Couhins is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Couhins is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese. The white wine of Chateau Couhins is a perfect wine to serve with shellfish, sashimi, sushi, all types of seafood, chicken, veal, and cheese.

www.chateau-couhins.fr

Château Couhins Wine Tasting Notes

28 Vintages 41,095 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2023
91
Black cherries, chocolate, flowers, and espresso form the character here. The medium-bodied palate is round, chewy, and loaded with black cherries, peppery spice, dark chocolate, espresso, and crisp red currants. Bright, and chewy in the finish, give it a few years in the bottle and it promises to be even better. The wine blends 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. 14 ABV. Drink from 2027-2039. 90-92 Pts.

Black cherries, chocolate, flowers, and espresso form the character here. The medium-bodied palate is round, chewy, and loaded with black cherries, peppery spice, dark chocolate, espresso, and crisp red currants. Bright, and chewy in the finish, give it a few years in the bottle and it promises to be even better. The wine blends 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. 14 ABV. Drink from 2027-2039. 90-92 Pts.

475 Views   Tasted
2023
91
Lemon grass, green apples, lemon rind, pomelo, and white flowers are easy to spot in the nose, and on the crisp, bright, citrus and pineapple filled palate. Fresh, and juicy, with a powdery texture in the finish, this should be ready-to-go on release. The wine blends 96% Sauvignon Blanc with 4% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2025-2032. 91 Pts.

Lemon grass, green apples, lemon rind, pomelo, and white flowers are easy to spot in the nose, and on the crisp, bright, citrus and pineapple filled palate. Fresh, and juicy, with a powdery texture in the finish, this should be ready-to-go on release. The wine blends 96% Sauvignon Blanc with 4% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2025-2032. 91 Pts.

495 Views   Tasted
2022
91
Spicy tobacco leaves, black currants, flowers, chocolate, and cherries show in the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, bright, fresh and spicy, with chewy tannins and a slight touch of cocoa in the finish. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. 14.5 ABV. 2022 marks the first vintage as being certified as 100% Organic. Drink from 2025-2037. 90-92 Pts.

Spicy tobacco leaves, black currants, flowers, chocolate, and cherries show in the nose. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, bright, fresh and spicy, with chewy tannins and a slight touch of cocoa in the finish. The wine blends 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot. 14.5 ABV. 2022 marks the first vintage as being certified as 100% Organic. Drink from 2025-2037. 90-92 Pts.

1,510 Views   Tasted
2022
91
Pineapple, green apples, tea leaves, ginger, and spice create the complex set of aromatics. Creamy, fresh and fruity, with a sweet, white peach, and citrus oriented palate, along with a spicy endnote and a touch of crushed stone on the backend, this is going to be delicious on release. The wine blends 95% Sauvignon Blanc with 5% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2023-2032. 91-91 Pts.

Pineapple, green apples, tea leaves, ginger, and spice create the complex set of aromatics. Creamy, fresh and fruity, with a sweet, white peach, and citrus oriented palate, along with a spicy endnote and a touch of crushed stone on the backend, this is going to be delicious on release. The wine blends 95% Sauvignon Blanc with 5% Sauvignon Gris. Drink from 2023-2032. 91-91 Pts.

1,542 Views   Tasted
2021
94
It takes just a bit of swirling to find all of the green apples, orange rind, guava, pineapple, mango and white peaches in the nose and palate. Long, electric, fresh and delicious, this racy gem keeps on going long after the wine has left the glass. This could be the best white wine produced in the history of Couhins. Drink from 2024--2032.

It takes just a bit of swirling to find all of the green apples, orange rind, guava, pineapple, mango and white peaches in the nose and palate. Long, electric, fresh and delicious, this racy gem keeps on going long after the wine has left the glass. This could be the best white wine produced in the history of Couhins. Drink from 2024--2032.

404 Views   Tasted
Flowers, yellow citrus, pineapple, mango with just a touch of white peach in the background of the nose and palate. Balanced between its racy freshness and creamy textures, this is a contender for the best white produced in the history of Couhins. Drink from 2023-2032. 93-93

Flowers, yellow citrus, pineapple, mango with just a touch of white peach in the background of the nose and palate. Balanced between its racy freshness and creamy textures, this is a contender for the best white produced in the history of Couhins. Drink from 2023-2032. 93-93

1,206 Views   Tasted
2021
90
Blackberries, plums, tobacco and smoke are what you initially notice before moving on to the soft, dark, spiced, round, chalky, red, pit-fruit filled palate. Drink from 2023-2033. 89-91

Blackberries, plums, tobacco and smoke are what you initially notice before moving on to the soft, dark, spiced, round, chalky, red, pit-fruit filled palate. Drink from 2023-2033. 89-91

985 Views   Tasted
2021
89
Bitingly fresh, lemon rind, grapefruit and almost ripe, but not quite, green apples. Drink this over the new few years for its crispness. Drink from 2023-2026. 89-89

Bitingly fresh, lemon rind, grapefruit and almost ripe, but not quite, green apples. Drink this over the new few years for its crispness. Drink from 2023-2026. 89-89

993 Views   Tasted
2020
93
Because the wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, you find a lot of bright acidity that adds to the blast of green apples, lemons, oranges, grapefruits and yellow plums. Juicy, creamy, fresh and lifted at the end, this is a fabulous, white Bordeaux. Drink from 2023-2035.

Because the wine is produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, you find a lot of bright acidity that adds to the blast of green apples, lemons, oranges, grapefruits and yellow plums. Juicy, creamy, fresh and lifted at the end, this is a fabulous, white Bordeaux. Drink from 2023-2035.

1,007 Views   Tasted
2020
91
Loaded with black raspberries, flowers, mint leaf and black cherries in the perfume, the medium-bodied wine is fresh and juicy, offering espresso, smoked red fruits, herbs, spice and sweetness with lift and energy on the mid-palate and in the finish. Drink from 2025-2038.

Loaded with black raspberries, flowers, mint leaf and black cherries in the perfume, the medium-bodied wine is fresh and juicy, offering espresso, smoked red fruits, herbs, spice and sweetness with lift and energy on the mid-palate and in the finish. Drink from 2025-2038.

596 Views   Tasted
2020
89
Medium-bodied, soft, fresh, vibrant and forward, with a savory touch that rides along with all of its sweet, ripe, cherries, this is perfect for enjoyment on release. Drink from 2023-2029.

Medium-bodied, soft, fresh, vibrant and forward, with a savory touch that rides along with all of its sweet, ripe, cherries, this is perfect for enjoyment on release. Drink from 2023-2029.

1,431 Views   Tasted
2020
89
Crispy, fresh lemons and green apples are at the core of the perfume and on the fresh, fruity palate. Drink from 2023-2026.

Crispy, fresh lemons and green apples are at the core of the perfume and on the fresh, fruity palate. Drink from 2023-2026.

1,454 Views   Tasted
2019
93
Fresh, bright, crisp, green apples, flowers, white peach and yellow citrus with a hint of underbrush come through easily on the nose and energetic, fresh, lemon-centric palate. Drink from 2022-2034.

Fresh, bright, crisp, green apples, flowers, white peach and yellow citrus with a hint of underbrush come through easily on the nose and energetic, fresh, lemon-centric palate. Drink from 2022-2034.

904 Views   Tasted
Bright, lifted citrus, green apple and a hint of yellow tropical fruit really pops here. On the palate, it gets even better with all that fresh-squeezed yellow citrus fruit. 91-93 Pts

Bright, lifted citrus, green apple and a hint of yellow tropical fruit really pops here. On the palate, it gets even better with all that fresh-squeezed yellow citrus fruit. 91-93 Pts

2,003 Views   Tasted
2019
91
Wet earth, forest leaf, herbs, tobacco wrapper and cherries shine in the perfume. Medium-bodied, elegant, sweet and fresh, this will drink with pleasure early in life, but it has the ability to age and evolve for 15 or more years with ease. Drink from 2023-2036.

Wet earth, forest leaf, herbs, tobacco wrapper and cherries shine in the perfume. Medium-bodied, elegant, sweet and fresh, this will drink with pleasure early in life, but it has the ability to age and evolve for 15 or more years with ease. Drink from 2023-2036.

1,125 Views   Tasted
Smoked red fruits, barbecue and spice box aromas create a complex perfume. Soft, medium-bodied, elegant, silky and fresh, sweet red fruits in the finish make this a pleasure to taste. 90-92 Pts

Smoked red fruits, barbecue and spice box aromas create a complex perfume. Soft, medium-bodied, elegant, silky and fresh, sweet red fruits in the finish make this a pleasure to taste. 90-92 Pts

1,847 Views   Tasted
2018
93
Creamy, lush, round and fruity, with sweet yellow citrus, pineapple, mango and other tropical nuances. Juicy and refreshing, this is showing really well and should get even better with a few years of age.

Creamy, lush, round and fruity, with sweet yellow citrus, pineapple, mango and other tropical nuances. Juicy and refreshing, this is showing really well and should get even better with a few years of age.

850 Views   Tasted
2018
92
Ripe, elegant, soft, smoky, medium-bodied fruits with a nice sense of lift and refinement on the palate which carries through to the cigar box tinged finish. This is much nicer in bottle than in barrel.

Ripe, elegant, soft, smoky, medium-bodied fruits with a nice sense of lift and refinement on the palate which carries through to the cigar box tinged finish. This is much nicer in bottle than in barrel.

827 Views   Tasted
2018
86
Medium-bodied, soft, forward, light, sweet, earthy, cherry filled wine made for early drinking pleasure.

Medium-bodied, soft, forward, light, sweet, earthy, cherry filled wine made for early drinking pleasure.

1,312 Views   Tasted
2017
91
Bright, crisp, fresh and stony, the wine is packed with a trifecta of lemons, oranges and limes. Equally crisp and refreshing on the palate, this should age nicely, yet if you want a jolt of sweet, juicy citrus, it's nice young too.

Bright, crisp, fresh and stony, the wine is packed with a trifecta of lemons, oranges and limes. Equally crisp and refreshing on the palate, this should age nicely, yet if you want a jolt of sweet, juicy citrus, it's nice young too.

1,932 Views   Tasted
2017
89
Soft, fresh red fruits, wafts of tobacco and smoke work perfectly with this medium bodied, elegant style. It will not only be enchanting upon release but it can age for a decade as well.

Soft, fresh red fruits, wafts of tobacco and smoke work perfectly with this medium bodied, elegant style. It will not only be enchanting upon release but it can age for a decade as well.

1,349 Views   Tasted
2016
91
Medium-bodied, elegant, fresh and juicy, the wine offers smoke, espresso, truffle, tobacco and dark red berries. In the end note, the deep red pit fruits are fresh, sweet and smoky. Give this 3-5 years and it will really show nicely.

Medium-bodied, elegant, fresh and juicy, the wine offers smoke, espresso, truffle, tobacco and dark red berries. In the end note, the deep red pit fruits are fresh, sweet and smoky. Give this 3-5 years and it will really show nicely.

1,465 Views   Tasted
2016
90
Orange and yellow citrus are paired together perfectly, serving up a bright splash in your glass. The sweetness in the fruits really shows well here.

Orange and yellow citrus are paired together perfectly, serving up a bright splash in your glass. The sweetness in the fruits really shows well here.

986 Views   Tasted
2015
91
Medium-bodied, this is already showing accents of truffle, tobacco and dark red berries. The wine is round, fresh and sweet. In the end note, the black cherry and cassis are ripe, round and lush, leaving you with a touch of tobacco in the finish.

Medium-bodied, this is already showing accents of truffle, tobacco and dark red berries. The wine is round, fresh and sweet. In the end note, the black cherry and cassis are ripe, round and lush, leaving you with a touch of tobacco in the finish.

2,250 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied with forest scents, clean red fruits, elegant textures and freshness in the refined finish. 88 - 90 Pts

Medium-bodied with forest scents, clean red fruits, elegant textures and freshness in the refined finish. 88 - 90 Pts

2,146 Views   Tasted
2015
90
Sweet, bright, fresh, crisp and tart lemons, grapefruit, flowers and lime provide the backdrop for this fresh, refreshing, zesty, citrus-filled charmer.

Sweet, bright, fresh, crisp and tart lemons, grapefruit, flowers and lime provide the backdrop for this fresh, refreshing, zesty, citrus-filled charmer.

2,417 Views   Tasted
2014
91
Fresh, bright, crisp and fruity, with a lemon/lime tone on the nose and palate and a zesty, yellow citrus finish, this is fully ready to go.

Fresh, bright, crisp and fruity, with a lemon/lime tone on the nose and palate and a zesty, yellow citrus finish, this is fully ready to go.

1,620 Views   Tasted
2013
82
Leafy and herbal with hints of fruit, the wine is salty and dry on the finish. 82-84 Pts

Leafy and herbal with hints of fruit, the wine is salty and dry on the finish. 82-84 Pts

1,507 Views   Tasted
2011
85
This wine is light, bright and dominated by spicy red berries. 84-87 Pts

This wine is light, bright and dominated by spicy red berries. 84-87 Pts

1,355 Views   Tasted
2009
83
Starting to decline, you can already sense nut and sherry aromas creeping, this requires drinking as soon as possible.

Starting to decline, you can already sense nut and sherry aromas creeping, this requires drinking as soon as possible.

856 Views   Tasted
2008
89
You can see the age in the color, but the nose continues delivering flowers, honey and citrus. The fruit leans to the orange and yellow citrus side. There is still freshness and sweet lemons in the finish. This has aged nicely.

You can see the age in the color, but the nose continues delivering flowers, honey and citrus. The fruit leans to the orange and yellow citrus side. There is still freshness and sweet lemons in the finish. This has aged nicely.

1,175 Views   Tasted
2008
83
Leafy, olive and cedar notes crowd out most of the red fruits. The finish is salty, with bright red berries in the end note. This requires consumption sooner than later.

Leafy, olive and cedar notes crowd out most of the red fruits. The finish is salty, with bright red berries in the end note. This requires consumption sooner than later.

1,071 Views   Tasted