Château Cos d'Estournel Saint-Estèphe 2019 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The vat room, as spectacular in its own right as the château's pagodas, equipped with vat lifts that allow gravity to be used not only during vinification but also during aging, was used for the first time in 2008. It crowns the estate's considerable efforts to bring this wine to the highest possible level, with the ambition of rivaling the quality of the premier cru classés. The deep gravel soil generally makes it the most full-bodied of the Médoc wines, the most voluptuous in texture, while retaining a finesse and complexity characteristic of its proximity to Lafite. The latest vintages have gained even more in aromatic purity and sincerity of expression. A very aromatic and intense white Bordeaux is produced on the soils of La Goulée, a little further north, and bears the same name.

Decanter

About wine:

The wine is bright red and purple in color; blue fruits, plums, and black cherries are presented with pleasant floral notes, as well as a wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee, sweet and delicate but just perceptible. It is absolutely delicious, round and fleshy on the palate but not heavy, well-defined with a precision of fruit combining blackcurrants and cherries with hints of cocoa and licorice. The velvety texture and overall clarity stand out, energetic and precise with layers of lovely mellow and fragrant fruit, supported by generous acidity. Sophisticated and enjoyable. A wonderful style at Cos in 2019. 2028–2045

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

A brilliant success for the château, which has produced a wine of exceptional balance. The palate is juicy, flavorful, and deep, with a bright finish that makes it a benchmark for the château.

About the estate:

Businessman Michel Reybier, who acquired the estate in 2000, has invested heavily in providing Cos d'Estournel with everything it needs to produce the finest wine possible. The construction of one of the world's most advanced wine cellars, designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, is a prime example of this. Cos has always produced expressive wines with a rather exuberant style. In the early 2000s, it even veered into caricature at times, overshadowing the finesse that the terroir is capable of expressing. Things have now changed, and with its latest vintages, Cos has rediscovered an expression that once again appeals to us.

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

The days when this illustrious estate produced the most powerful wine possible are long gone. This new version is elegant and full of big black fruit. A few hints of dark chocolate add density while retaining the wine's fragrance and blackberry flavors. It is impressive and will likely be ready to drink from 2026 onwards.

Vinous

About wine:

Cos d'Estournel 2019 is a deep and powerful wine. This has been true both times I have tasted it recently. Readers will need to be patient. Those who can afford to wait will be rewarded with an imposing and sculptural Saint-Estèphe. With a little air, the fruit begins to emerge, but this is a very reticent Cos that does not show the opulence it often has in its youth. Gravel, smoke, incense, tobacco, and dried flowers gradually unfold with time, hinting at a very bright future. This 2019 is impressive. That's all there is to say. Tasted twice. 2029–2069

James Suckling

About wine:

The wine is so aromatic with blackcurrant, blackberries, and raspberries. Pure fruit, combined with coffee and nutmeg. Really fresh and clean with lively spices. Full-bodied, but still reserved and tight with fantastic structure. Very long. This is a great Cos for the cellar. A benchmark with real character. It needs at least 5 or 6 years to open up and flourish. Try after 2029.

Terre de Vins

About wine:

Although estate manager Dominique Arangoits admits, "We were worried all year long, as 19 came after an excellent 18," he knew early on that the terroir and favorable weather conditions (the vines needed water three times and it rained three times, which was sufficient) would produce another excellent vintage. In fact, this vintage should go down in Cos history with its fine, deep bouquet, where noble aromas of leather, black fruits, and coffee beans take turns, and where the structured body unfolds a silky, mineral thread. The whole, very fine and very elegant, is built on a controlled concentration, brought to the point of balance.

Yves Beck

About wine:

What subtlety and complexity in this bouquet. It is marked by the freshness of red berries as well as nuances of eucalyptus and cigar box. Beautiful freshness on the attack. The wine is powerful, compact and endowed with tannins of great finesse that lend their vigor with serenity, without being demonstrative. What grandeur and what ability to defy the decades to come. A very great Cos destined to convince and seduce several generations! The finish reflects the olfactory characteristics well, in a persistent manner. 2026-2060

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The nose is harmonious, beautifully balanced, racy, and offers a very nice finesse of grain, richness (but all in balance), complexity, as well as a lovely fleshy/ripe fruit and finely acidic. There are notes of fleshy blackcurrant, fleshy raspberry and, more subtly, fleshy blackberry, combined with hints of purple plum/ripe/pulpy blue fruits, blueberry, violet, racy minerality, as well as hints of incense, spices/exotic spices, cocoa, very subtle hints of vanilla and a subtle hint of iodine. The palate is elegant, fruity, harmonious, delicate, very nicely balanced (between finesse, power, and richness), almost very discreetly tight, "complete," and offers a tangy structure, tension, delicacy, a nice guideline, roundness, richness, and a nice silky and fresh touch. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy/pulpy blackcurrant and, more subtly, fleshy/pulpy raspberry, combined with hints of wild strawberry, pulpy/juicy purple plum, fleshy cherry/morello cherry, lily, as well as hints of chocolate, racy minerality/sense of place, toast, nutmeg, ripe almond and a very subtle hint of Cuben pepper and sweet blond tobacco. sense of place," toast, nutmeg, ripe almond, and a very discreet varietal hint of Cubeb pepper and sweet blond tobacco. The tannins are elegant, fine, and beautifully integrated. The finish is savory and smooth. The aftertaste lingers with notes of toasted/caramelized hazelnut, ripe almond, chocolate, vanilla, and a very subtle hint of iodine. A very nice wine, complete and offering a perfect balance between richness, finesse, power, and pedigree!

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About wine:

Superb nose of flowers, firm black fruits, spices, and graphite. On the palate, very dense, massive without being heavy, with beautiful tension and a caressing finish. Taut and fresh. Great overall precision. Lots of personality and class. A very, very great future Cos, asserting itself with a chiseled, delicate and powerful mouthfeel, perfectly balanced and with a confident verticality. Bravo! Keep for the next 50 years, even if it can already be enjoyed now.