Dating back to the end of the 18th century, it shares an illustrious founder with Ch. Mouton Rothschild - Baron Hector de Brane. Since 1868, the property has been mostly in the hands of two negociant families - firstly the Celerier family and then from 1924 the Miailhe's - also sometime owners of Ch. Pichon Lalande, Ch. Siran and - er - Ch. Palmer, just to name-drop! 

Chateau Coufran's 76 hectares is planted to 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet. The vineyard is arguably the most northerly of the Medoc, giving them a cooler terroir. than others.This explains partially the very high level of merlot - in the 1930's the owners were tired of having so many problems getting the Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen year after year, while Merlot is more vigorous and ripens earlier. So they replanted with Merlot, resulting in the current proportions. At present, the vines are between 40-50 years old.  

The 2003 is a fully mature vintage, dark and intense in the glass. An expressive, fruity nose marked by delicate hints of prune and rich secondary notes with a discreet oak providing excellent support. 2003 was such a rich, hot year that the fruit has maintained it's heft admirably, allowing this cool-climate merlot to be drinking well into it's second decade.