Château Coutet - Saint-Emilion

The history of Château Coutet

The site was already occupied during the Roman occupation, as evidenced by the remains of wild tulips and Byzantine gladioli. It was known as the Domaine de Francs, until the 15th century, when Sieur François Coutet gave it its present name.

In 1601, Château Coutet became the property of the mayor of Libourne, Thomas d'Augereau, married to Marie David. Attached to the David Beaulieu family for at least four centuries, Château Coutet is now run by Alain, his nephew Adrien and his son Matthieu.

The vineyard of Château Coutet

The Beaulieu family claims to have been in charge of the vineyard for 400 years, without ever having used chemicals, pesticides, insecticides and other herbicides. It has remained organic, as it was at its origin, and has never given in to the easy way of preserving its terroir, along with the purity of its wines.

Château Coutet is also used for mixed farming. The site is used for market gardening, orchards, woodland and livestock. This helps to maintain a healthy ecosystem and to preserve the fauna and flora of the region: bats, wild rabbits, hares, migratory birds, etc. The estate has been certified organic since 2012.

Château Coutet is located 500 metres from the centre of the village of Saint Emilion. Its grape varieties are 60% Merlot, 30% Bouchet (Cabernet Franc), 7% Pressac (local Malbec) and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. The average age of the vines is 41 years. The oldest are over 80 years old. The Château Coutet vineyard is divided between different terroirs.

The Saint-Martin plateau on 4.5 hectares with south-east/south-west exposure. Pey Cocut, which straddles half of Beauséjour and half of Coutet, is the centrepiece. Its geological structure is typical of the Saint Emilion plateau, with a subsoil made up of asteriated limestone and a medium to fine-textured, shallow brown limestone soil.

The 3.5 hectare Côte de Franc which forms the descent from the Saint-Martin plateau towards Libourne. The soil is deeper than on the plateau and is composed of heavy clay-limestone. The parcels on the hillside are La Côte, L'Escalier, Le Squelette, Cucurot and half of Le Canon.

The foot of the slope on 5 hectares, whose soil is mainly recarbonated clayey sand on the surface, laid on iron dross at shallow depth.

The wines of Château Coutet

Château Coutet

Château Coutet wine is made from a blend of red-tailed Merlot, Bouchet, Pressac and Cabernet Sauvignon.

RChâteau Belle Cîmes - second wine from young vines

Château Coutet's second wine is Château Belles Cîmes, made from Merlot à queue rouge and Bouchet grapes, from vines aged only 7-8 years.