2019 Château Couhins-Lurton Acte II, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France

Tasting note

A new bottle introduced in 2019 under Jacques Lurton, who has taken over from his father André. Plump fruit, plenty of impact, touch of heat on the finish, but this is enjoyable and easy to recommend. Aged in a mix of barrels and amphoras.

Our thoughts

The heritage of Couhins-Lurton is classic Bordeaux – a venerable château given new life in the second half of the 20th century under the direction of the legendary André Lurton, for whom it was his flagship property, celebrated in particular for its standout white wine. Yet this cuvée, made by André’s son Jacques, is anything but. A 100% Merlot fermented and then aged largely in amphorae, it is not a second wine, but rather a totally different bottling, sourced from a specific plot within the vineyard and made to be drinkable earlier, via gentle han