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Château Merville 2014 is the second wine of Château Coutelin-Merville. It is a typical Left Bank Bordeaux from the Saint-Estèphe appellation. The Château has been in the Estager family for over a century; it sits on prime gravel and clay-limestone soils near neighbours like Château Haut-Marbuzet and Château Tour de Pez. It has a relatively high proportion of Merlot for Saint-Estèphe and was classified as a Cru Bourgeois in the original 1932 classification.
The 2014 vintage is now showing the benefits of more than a decade of bottle age, offering an appealing balance between mature fruit and developing Bordeaux complexity. As a second wine, Château Merville provides an approachable expression of the estate’s Saint-Estèphe terroir and is particularly attractive for those looking to enjoy mature Bordeaux at a great price.
The château is owned by the Estager Family, originally from the Corrèze region of central France. It is located on the Rue Marcel Verdier in Saint-Estèphe. The estate was founded in 1902, and for most of the mid-20th century, the estate was owned and run by Guy Estager. Following his death in 1987, the management of the château transitioned to his sons, Bernard and François Estager.
Château Coutelin-Merville is located at one of the highest points in the Saint-Estèphe appellation near the border with Cissac, and the Château’s vineyards cover some 25 to 30 hectares. The soils here feature a high proportion of clay-limestone beneath the classic Médoc gravel.
This specific soil composition led the Estager family to plant a significantly higher proportion of Merlot and Cabernet Franc alongside Cabernet Sauvignon than is typical for Northern Médoc estates. This gives Coutelin-Merville its signature style: classic Saint-Estèphe structure and minerality, but with a rounder, more generous, and accessible mid-palate even in its youth.
Appearance: Deep garnet with developing ruby and brick-red hues.
Nose: Attractive aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and plum, followed by hints of cedar, tobacco, spice and subtle earthy notes.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied, with ripe dark berry fruit, refreshing acidity and well-integrated tannins. Cabernet Franc brings freshness and aromatic complexity, while the mature fruit develops into savoury, spicy notes towards the finish.
Finish: Dry, balanced and persistent, with dark fruit, gentle spice and classic Saint-Estèphe savouriness.
Château Merville 2014 is a natural partner for roast beef, lamb, steak and game. Its mature tannins and savoury character also work beautifully with slow-cooked dishes such as beef bourguignon, lamb shank and rich mushroom dishes.
For a classic Bordeaux pairing, serve it with roast lamb with rosemary and garlic.
Yes. Château Merville 2014 is now a mature Bordeaux wine and offers an appealing combination of developed fruit, savoury complexity, freshness and integrated tannins. It should be enjoyed now rather than bought solely for long-term cellaring.
Château Merville 2014 is the second wine of Château Coutelin-Merville. It provides a more accessible expression of the Saint-Estèphe estate while retaining the classic character associated with the appellation.
What Is A Second Wine?
Second wines are generally intended to offer a more approachable expression of an estate’s vineyards, often with a softer, more immediately accessible character than the principal wine. For Bordeaux lovers, they can be an excellent way to discover the style and terroir of an estate without the price associated with the most prestigious classified growths.
Château Merville 2014 therefore makes an appealing choice for anyone exploring Saint-Estèphe wines, mature Bordeaux or the classic red wines of the Médoc.
Serve at around 16–18°C. Carefully decanting the wine can be useful if there is sediment in the bottle and can help the wine open up before serving.
