1999 Château Coutelin-Merville Cru Bourgeois, Saint-Estèphe

When it comes to fine Bordeaux, Saint-Estèphe, Margaux, Pauillac, and Saint-Julien are universally recognized as the Left Bank's “Big Four.” Sustainable farming, grapes:  Merlot w/ Cabernet Sauvignon & Franc, Alc 14%.   This superb Left Bank Bordeaux is in the prime of its life, flaunting a heavy proportion of lushly textured Merlot with the structured secondary flavors of Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc in the backdrop. It’s medium-plus in body, and still impressively firm with a tannic grip and savory mineral core propelling it into a supple finish. Intricate layers, refinement, savory grip—that’s what we want in maturing Bordeaux.