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 delivered greater sensuality and harmony without losing the estate's distinctive power and authority. Deep aromas of cassis, wild berries, orange peel and exotic spices emerge from the glass, 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 located next to Lafite-Rothschild, but the vineyards are very different. They rise from the banks of the Jalle de Breuil, the small stream that separates Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe, to a height of 26 meters above sea level. The clay-gravel vineyards of Cos are located on the plateau and slopes, from the eastern plots overlooking Lafite to the completely southern plots overlooking the Gironde. This variety of exposition, as well as an average vine age of 55 years, gives the wine its completeness, strength and abundance.

Innovation and Evolution

The past two decades have seen significant evolution: herbicides were banned, and experiments with cover crops began in 2002; a new gravity-driven winery was built in 2008; and winemaking and harvest dates have evolved. In the past, wines sometimes flirted with extremes; by pushing boundaries, you sometimes exceed them. Recent vintages range from the more elegant profiles of 2016, 2017 and 2019, to the heavier style of 2020 and 2022. With the 2023 vintage, the team seems to have certainly found their way: with four seeds per berry and tannins that were less ripe than in 2022, technical director Dominique Arangoïts opted for a gentle approach to extraction, with very little bruising, 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, relaxed 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 Maharaja of Saint-Estèphe, decorated the castle in Indian style and organized great 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 picking to the aging of the bottles is carefully controlled and carried out with the utmost care. The vinification process is designed in such a way that the wine is moved without pumps, with all operations performed by gravity. In 1855 the Chateau obtained the 2nd Grand Cru Classé status.

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