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Chateau Coufran

Chateau Coufran is one of those properties which crops up from time to time in Broadbent tasting notes, but never seems to really step into the limelight. Whatever the reason for this, it is not lack of a fine history. The estate has been in existence for several hundred years, with a fine chateau dating back to the 18th Century, built by then owner Comte de Verthamon. And viticulture has long been established here, with the Celerier family, who purchased the estate in 1868, overseeing a significant increase in production during the 19th Century. And its also not due to lack of qualified management, as in 1924 the Celerier family sold it on to Louis Miailhe, father of current proprietor Jean Miailhe. The Miailhe family is one of Bordeaux's best known dynasties, who also own Pichon-Lalande where Jean Miailhe's cousin Mme de Lencquesaing is in charge. Otherwise the Miailhe family seem to specialise in left bank Cru Bourgeois properties, their portfolio including Chateaux Siran, Verdignan, Citran (subsequently sold on to the Merlaut-Villars family) and Soudars.

Chateau Coufran sits at the northern end of the Haut-Médoc appellation, in a thin strip of this appellation to the north of St Estèphe, sandwiched between properties of the Médoc to the north and west, with the Gironde to the east. Right next-door is another Miailhe chateau, Soudars, which must be handy when they need to borrow a pair of vine secateurs. The soils here are dry, sandy gravel, fairly typical for the left bank so close to the Gironde. Which makes the decision by Jean Miailhe in 1950 to replant with predominantly Merlot, which now accounts for 85% of the vineyard, all the more unusual. The remaining 15% is Cabernet Sauvignon, with a total of 75 ha under vine, planted at 8000 vines/ha, averaging forty years of age. Yields are typically 36 hl/ha and, as might be expected, the winery is stuffed with the usual modern equipment. The resulting wine sees about a year in oak, up to 30% new each year. Chateau Coufran is the grand vin (30 000 cases), with a second wine Chateau La Rose Maréchale.

The predominance of Merlot at Chateau Coufran, together with a reported 'plummy' quality to the wine, has led some to refer to Coufran as the Pomerol of the Médoc. In my experience this is a decent Cru Bourgeois property offering worthy wines in the better vintages, and reasonable quality in poorer vintages. Pomerol-like is not a description I would apply to it. (4/11/04)

Contact details:
Address: Chateau Coufran, 33180 St-Seurin-de-Cadourne
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 56 59 31 02
Fax +33 (0) 5 56 59 72 39

Chateau Coufran - Tasting Notes

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Chateau Coufran (Haut-Médoc) 2004: This has a lovely, fresh, expressive nose. Rather ripe and plummy, with plenty of fruitcake Merlot character in the blend. Supple tannins, well textured, and with fresh acidity. This is good, although with a very unusual style for the left bank. From my 2004 Bordeaux assessment. 15.5+/20 (October 2006)

Chateau Coufran (Haut-Médoc) 1996: A fairly dark but certainly not opaque colour, and showing certain maturity. Rather hard and withdrawn at first, it does open out to reveal stony stony-cedary aromas, rather appealing in a simple, rustic fashion. Good presence on the palate, full, a nice tannic backbone, but it certainly has a hard austerity that persists through to the finish. There is no softness or elegance here. Quite good with food through. From a 1996 Cru Bourgeois tasting. 14.5/20 (April 2007)

Chateau Coufran (Haut-Médoc) 1996: The first bottle was corked. The next showed a good colour, with some maturity at the rim, but not great density. Sand and cedar on the nose at first, then a little blackcurrant fruit with a mature, meaty edge. Medium bodied, showing a little flesh, but overall somewhat lean, and to be honest lacking in charm. Prominent structure, insufficient fruit or texture, but after a long time in the decanter (a day) things improved. It showed more black fruit, a little more texture and good balance. 14.5/20 (October 2004)

Chateau Coufran (Haut-Médoc) 1996: A fairly deep red wine, with a rich earthy hue. The nose seems fairly clumsy at first, being quite hard, ungiving, with just a touch of cedar. With a few hours in the glass it opens to reveal a little more fruit. Initially hard and lean on the palate also, aeration fattens it up a bit and it develops quite a nice texture. There are some spicy tannins and strong, vibrant acidity. A spicy, tingling finish. Another wine that will benefit from a year or two more in bottle, although approachable now. From a 1996 Bordeaux horizontal tasting. 14.5/20 (October 2002)

Chateau Coufran (Haut-Médoc) 1993: A good purple-red colour. A lovely nose of raspberry and then black fruit, with nuances of pencil lead and oriental spices. The palate is full bodied, has strong tannins and correct acidity. Flavours of black fruit and oak sit alongside. Somewhat light on the finish, but with pleasing alcohol. No length. Good for the vintage, and at an appropriate price. 14/20 (August 2000)

Chateau Coufran (Haut-Médoc) 1991: An attractive deep purple hue, with little sign of age. The nose gives of classic aromas of cedar, wood-smoke, blackcurrant fruit and some oak. The palate has good body at first, with a firm tannic backbone, and correct balance. Towards the hindpalate the body fades, but after some aeration this improves. A spicy, peppery finish. Little length. A very good effort for the weak 1991 vintage. 13/20 (August 2000)