2023 Château Cos d'Estournel

The 2023 Cos d’Estournel is a contemporary classic in the making, beautifully expressed with a lighter approach to extraction. This has yielded greater sensuality and harmony without losing any of the estate’s signature power and authority. From the glass emerges deep aromas of cassis, wild berries, orange peel and exotic spices, surrounded by well-integrated new wood. The wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a concentrated core of fruit, beautifully supple tannins and a cool, seamless profile.
Blend

• 65% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 33% Merlot
• Remaining part: Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot

The wine has an alcohol content of 13% and matures in 50% new oak barrels.

Vineyards and Terroir of Cos d'Estournel

Cos d'Estournel is next to Lafite-Rothschild, but its vineyards are very different. They rise from the banks of the Jalle de Breuil, the small stream that separates Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe, to an altitude of 26 meters above sea level. The clay-gravel vineyards of Cos are located on the plateau and the slopes, from the eastern parcels overlooking Lafite to the completely southern parcels overlooking the Gironde. This variety of exposure, as well as an average vine age of 55 years, gives the wine its completeness, power and abundance.

Innovation and Evolution

The past two decades have seen significant evolution: herbicides were banned, and cover crop experiments began in 2002; a new gravity-driven winery was built in 2008; and winemaking and harvest dates have evolved. Historically, the wines have sometimes flirted with extremes; pushing the boundaries sometimes leads to overstepping them. Recent vintages range from the more elegant profiles of 2016, 2017, and 2019, to the heavier styles of 2020 and 2022. With the 2023 vintage, the team seems to have found their stride: with four seeds per berry and tannins that were less ripe than in 2022, technical director Dominique Arangoïts opted for a cautious approach to extraction, with very little crushing, full use of Cos’s gravity-driven winery, and macerations that were both significantly cooler and shorter than the norm. The result is a very refined, unforced Cos, with only 13% alcohol, which reflects the power of this terroir with new sensuality and refinement.

History and Innovation

The former owner and namesake Louis Gaspard d'Estournel, known as the Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe, decorated the château in Indian style and organised grand parties, but lived beyond his means. In 1852, he was completely destitute and had to sell his domain. He died a year later. Today, Cos d'Estournel is one of the most advanced wineries, where every step from the harvest to the maturation of the bottles is carefully controlled and carried out with the greatest care. The vinification process is designed so that the wine is moved without pumping, with all operations carried out by gravity. In 1855, the Château obtained the 2nd Grand Cru Classé status.

FACT: In the tab 'Attachments' you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send you this when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.