Château Couhins-Lurton has its roots in the 17th century, at a time when it was still known as "Bourdieu de La Gravette". The estate, then belonging to the Banchereau family, saw several Bordeaux notaries succeed at its helm before going through a tumultuous period in the 19th century, with many changes of ownership.
In 1967, the estate experienced a decisive turning point with the intervention of André Lurton, an emblematic figure in the Bordeaux wine world. By preventing the uprooting of the vines and taking over the management of the estate, he ensured the preservation of this unique terroir. It was also at this time that the current name "Château Couhins-Lurton" came into being. Through a series of successive acquisitions, the Lurton family gradually reconstituted the entire vineyard.
In 1992, André Lurton bought the château, the cellars and the outbuildings, ushering in a new era of modernisation and innovation. The restoration work on the estate and the reconstruction of the wine-making infrastructure restored this historic property to its former glory. Today, under the direction of Jacques Lurton, Château Couhins-Lurton continues to produce wines of remarkable quality, acclaimed by critics.
The terroir of Château Couhins-Lurton benefits from unique geological and climatic characteristics that give its wines their distinct personality. The estate spans approximately 25 hectares, divided between plots dedicated to white and red grape varieties.
Terroir of white wines
The 5.5 hectares of white vines are planted exclusively with Sauvignon Blanc, a grape variety that finds exceptional expression here. The soil, composed of a mixture of clay, gravel and limestone, plays a fundamental role in regulating the water supply to the vines, thus guaranteeing high-quality grapes, even in years of drought. This terroir also favours the maintenance of Sauvignon Blanc's acidity, essential for the finesse and freshness of the wines.
Terroir of red wines
The red vineyard, which extends over 12.5 hectares, is planted mainly with Merlot, complemented by a small proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. Located at an altitude of 45 metres, the vines benefit from clay-gravel soils. The clay, more abundant at depth, gives the red wines a unique freshness and fruitiness, characteristic of Graves wines. The Merlots from this terroir are renowned for their elegance, concentration and aromas of dark fruits.
Expertise and precision in vinification are at the heart of the quality of Château Couhins-Lurton wines. Each step, from the harvest to the ageing, is carried out with respect for the typicity of the terroir and the grape varieties.
White wine vinification
The vinification of Château Couhins-Lurton's white wines begins with manual harvesting, carried out early in the morning to preserve the freshness of the berries. The grapes are then cooled in a cold room before being gently pressed. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels and stoneware amphorae, which allows for the development of complex aromas and preserves the minerality of the Sauvignon Blanc. Lees ageing, with regular stirring, lasts about 12 months, followed by 4 to 6 months in vats to perfect the maturation.
Red wine vinification
The red wines of Château Couhins-Lurton are produced with meticulous attention. After manual harvesting and rigorous sorting, the grapes are destemmed before being fermented in stainless steel vats and barrels. The wine is then aged for 12 months in 225 and 500-litre barrels, with a balance of 50% new wood and 50% one-year-old wood. After this period, it continues its ageing in vats for an additional 8 months. Bottling takes place approximately 20 months after harvest.
Château Couhins-Lurton offers two grand cuvées, each bearing the mark of its terroir and expertise.
Château Couhins-Lurton Blanc - Grand Cru Classé de Graves
A Cru Classé de Graves, this emblematic cuvée of the estate is produced exclusively from Sauvignon Blanc. This white wine is distinguished by its freshness, finesse and delicate aromas of white fruits, citrus and white flowers. Thanks to the clay-limestone terroir, the wine develops a beautiful acidity that gives it great ageing potential. Lees ageing brings complexity and an elegant texture on the palate.
Château Couhins-Lurton Rouge
Although the estate is mainly renowned for its white wines, Château Couhins-Lurton also produces a remarkable red wine. This Grand Vin de Graves is made primarily from Merlot, with a small proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate's red wines are elegant, silky and concentrated, with intense aromas of dark fruits and fine tannins. The clay-gravel terroir gives the wines a freshness and minerality that distinguish them from other wines in the region.
Acte II
In addition to its grand wines, Château Couhins-Lurton also offers a second label, Acte II, for its red and white wines. This cuvée is produced from carefully selected plots and offers a more accessible expression, whilst retaining the identity of the estate. Acte II was born with the 2020 vintage and is aimed at lovers of refined wines at an excellent value for money.
The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two Bordeaux appellations, stand out for their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990 are particularly prized for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are equally remarkable for their structure and ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 confirm this continuing excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.
Explore all the Grands Crus Classés de Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the First Growth of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historical reference. For red andwhite wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. For reds, you can discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine enthusiasts can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover in the heart of the Graves region.
Château Couhins-Lurton embodies the heritage of an exceptional terroir and the expertise of several generations of passionate winemakers. Whether through its white wines, ranked among the best in Graves, or its reds undergoing a renaissance, the estate offers a range of refined, elegant and complex wines. The constant efforts to improve the quality of the wines, combined with particular attention paid to the environment, make Château Couhins-Lurton a key player in the Pessac-Léognan appellation.