Château Cos D'Estournel 2019
Review of the Estate
Château Cos d'Estournel is a winery in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of the Bordeaux region of France. It is also the name of the red wine produced by this property. The wine produced here was classified as one of fifteen Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855.
Château Cos d'Estournel produces the eponymous grand vin, the second wine since the 1994 vintage, Les Pagodes de Cos from the estate's younger vines, as well as Château Marbuzet from fruit of nearby plots. The property is adjacent to Château Lafite-Rothschild in the neighbouring commune of Pauillac.
In 1811, Louis Gaspard d'Estournel decided to make wine from a few hectares of vines that he had inherited and Château Cos d'Estournel was born. Classified as a Deuxième Cru Classè in 1855, exports of this prestigious wine eventually reached as far as Southeast Asia, which inspired long-time Sinophile Louis to erect the unique and recognisable stone pagodas which still stand over the estate's cellars. Unfortunately, due to surmounting debts, Louis Gaspard eventually had to sell Chateau Cos Destournel, but his name has endured to this day.
During subsequent decades the estate underwent several ownership changes. However, the most significant improvements to the property were made during the tenure of Bruno Prats, who headed the estate from the late 1980's through to 1998. Along with his son (and current estate manager) Jean-Guillaume, Bruno modernised and improved both the facilities and winemaking practices.
In the old Gascon language of the region, Cos means 'hill of pebbles' and this accurately describes the soil composition of the estate's vineyards - deep gravel over a limestone bed.
The vineyards at Chateua Cos D'Estournel are worked manually and the harvest is always done by hand. Only vines that are more than 20 years old are used for the Grand Vin, while vines which are younger are used for the estate's second wine - Les Pagodes de Cos.
The château cellars were refurbished in 2009 and are now some of the most modern in Bordeaux - a feat of beautiful glass and steel engineering. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel, temperature controlled tanks and both pump-overs and racking are done by gravity. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel, of which 60 to 100% are new French oak. Chateau Cos D'Estorunel Grand Vin is aged for 18 months in barrel before bottling, while Les Pagodes de Cos is aged for 12 months.
Vineyard
Surface area: 158 acres
Grape Varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc
Average age of vines: 35 years
Density of plantation: 8,000 - 10,000 vines per hectare
Average yields: 50 hectoliters per hectare
Average cases produced: 20,000 per year
Plateau of maturity: 10-30 years
Château Cos d'Estournel 2019 Reviews / Tasting Notes
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate
Point Score: 97-99+
Harvest for the grand vin began on the 23rd of September and finished on the 7th of October. Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot (with no Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc this year), yields for this wine in 2019 were 43 hectoliters per hectare, and it is aging in 55% new oak. It came in at an alcohol level of 14.02% and an IPT of 67. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Cos d'Estournel soars out of the glass with vibrant black raspberries, Black Forest cake and crushed blackcurrants scents plus nuances of red roses, wild sage, dark chocolate and cast-iron pan with a waft of woodsmoke. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut, muscular and built like a skyscraper, with firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness supporting the concentrated black fruit flavors, finishing with incredible length and depth. This wine so beautifully, clearly captures the juxtaposition between the periods of dry heat and those hallelujah moments of refreshing rain-the hallmarks of this great vintage. It's a vinous masterpiece in the making.
Decanter
Point Score: 98
Powerful and enjoyable Cos. Needs to be given time in the glass to reveal the impressively velvety texture, and the sheer depth of bitter black chocolate, black truffle and coffee notes. The tannins sit back and then build slowly to full bristling impact by the close of play. Feels extremely sophisticated, with the always-present Cos glamour. This was a vintage where the heat was starting to be worrying until the September rains that began around 22nd, and helped bring the Cabernet back into a more classical line, and away from the extremes of 2018. 40hl/h final yield.
James Suckling
Point Score: 98-99
A very powerful and structured Cos. It's full and layered, but not overpowering in terms of fruit. It's more about the abundant, very fine tannins. It's a classic wine with historical grip and power. Real Bordeaux. Sophisticated and provocative.