Château Cos d'Estournel
Château Cos d’Estournel
Bearing more than a passing resemblance to an Asian temple, complete with its unmissable and iconic sandstone pagodas, Château Cos d’Estournel (or simply “Cos”, as it is affectionately known) is one of the greatest properties in Bordeaux. Ranked as a Second Growth in the great classification of 1855, it is locked in an endless contest with the mighty Château Montrose for St-Estèphe supremacy each vintage.
Founded by Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel, Château Cos d’Estournel is adjacent to the legendary Lafite Rothschild – of course simply “Lafite” at that time – the two actual châteaux are visible from one another. It is said that Louis-Gaspard looked across at the mighty Lafite, at this time already famed for its extraordinary wine, from his lofty Médoc gravel banks and exclaimed that he must do the same. A man of boundless natural energy, d’Estournel continued to travel extensively whilst taking a very close involvement in the production of his exceptional wines – which became a particular favourite of British officers in India as early as 1838.
2000 saw the arrival of current owner Michel Reybier, who felt an instant pull towards the eccentricities and profound brilliance of both Château Cos d’Estournel and its great founder. It is fair to say that Reybier has been an excellent custodian of this most storied and mythical estate. Now, Cos stands at the forefront of the Super Second wave, frequently challenging and not-so-infrequently surpassing the First Growths of the Médoc.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WI) | HK$14,495.00 | |||||
The Wine Independent (100)Deep garnet in color, the 2016 Cos d'Estournel is quite closed to start, requiring a lot of coaxing to bring out profound notions of creme de cassis, wild blueberries, black cherry compote, and rose oil, leading to suggestions of Indian spices, crushed rocks, and dried lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is both opulent and energetic, revealing loads of perfumed black fruit layers and a plush, polished texture, finishing with epic length and depth. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 98+ (WA) | HK$5,705.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (98+)The 2018 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new oak barriques. The alcohol weighs in at just over 14.5%. Sporting a deep purple-black color, it needs a lot of swirling to begin to unlock a powerful nose of crème de cassis, stewed plums, wild blueberries and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by nuances of Sichuan pepper, star anise, tree and clove oil, plus a waft of charcoal. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with taut, muscular black fruits and earthy layers, framed by super firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully earthy. A very impressive behemoth, this is going to need a good seven to 10 years to truly show its stuff and should drink for a good 40 years and beyond. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 99 (JS) | HK$8,605.00 | |||||
James Suckling (99)This is so aromatic with blackcurrants, black berries and raspberries. Pure fruit, together with coffee and nutmeg. Really fresh and clean with bright spices. Full-bodied, yet reserved and tight with fantastic structure. So long. This is a great Cos for the cellar. A real benchmark for the true character. Needs at least five or six years to open and come around. Try after 2029. |
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Bordeaux | 6 | 97-98 (JS) | HK$7,430.00 | |||||
James Suckling (97-98)This is a very refined, polished Cos with superb finesse and length. Medium-to full-bodied, very fine and persistent. Really long with beautiful tannins. Rich, but fresh and linear. Yet, the alcohol is around 13.5%. 62% cabernet and 38% merlot. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (VN (AG)) | HK$999.00 | |||||
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (91)The 2018 Goulée by Cos d'Estournel is a very pretty wine that balances fruit intensity with expressive aromatic top notes. Rose petal, mint, dried flowers, licorice and espresso lift a core of red/purplish berry fruit as this stylish, Merlot-based Médoc shows off its considerable allure. The blend is 73% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc. Yields were just 33 hectoliters per hectare, as opposed to the more typical 45-50. Give it a good deal of aeration. |