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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The vinification facility, as spectacular in its own right as the château’s pagodas, is equipped with tank lifts that allow for gravity-fed processing—not only during winemaking but also during aging—and was first put into use in 2008. It represents the culmination of the estate’s considerable efforts to elevate this wine to the highest possible level, with the ambition of rivaling the First Growths in quality. The deep gravel soil generally makes it the fullest-bodied of the Médoc wines, the most voluptuous in texture, while retaining the finesse and complexity characteristic of its proximity to Lafite. Recent 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 its name.

Decanter

About the wine:

The wine is a vivid, purplish red; notes of blueberries, plums, and black cherries are accompanied by pleasant floral hints, as well as a wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee—subtle and delicate, yet distinctly perceptible. It is absolutely delicious, round and full-bodied on the palate but not heavy, well-defined with precise fruit notes blending blackcurrants and cherries with hints of cocoa and licorice. The velvety texture and overall clarity stand out, energetic and precise with layers of lovely, soft, fragrant fruit, supported by generous acidity. Sophisticated and pleasant. A wonderful style from Cos in 2019. 2028 - 2045

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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

About the wine:

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

About the estate:

Businessman Michel Reybier, who acquired the estate in 2000, invested heavily to equip Cos d’Estournel with everything needed to produce the finest wine possible. The construction of one of the world’s most advanced wineries, 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 occasionally veered into caricature, pushing the finesse that the terroir is capable of expressing into the background. The tide has turned, and with the latest vintages, Cos has regained an expression that once again captivates us.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

The days when this renowned estate produced the most powerful wine possible are long gone. This new vintage is elegant and bursting with rich black fruit. Hints of dark chocolate add depth while preserving the wine’s fragrance and blackberry flavors. It is impressive and will likely be ready to drink starting in 2026.

Vinous

About the wine:

Cos d'Estournel 2019 is a deep and powerful wine. This has been true both times I’ve 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 reserved Cos that does not display the opulence it often has in its youth. Gravel, smoke, incense, tobacco, and dried flowers gradually unfold over time, foreshadowing a very bright future. This 2019 is impressive. That’s all there is to say. Tasted twice. 2029–2069

James Suckling

About the wine:

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

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

Although estate manager Dominique Arangoits admits, "We were worried all year—2019 came on the heels of an excellent 2018," he knew very early on that the terroir and the good fortune of timely weather (the vines needed water three times, and it rained three times, just enough) would once again produce a combination of excellence. Indeed, this vintage is poised to make history at Cos with its refined, deep bouquet, where noble notes of leather, black fruit, and coffee beans interplay, and where the structured body unfolds a silky, mineral thread. The wine, very refined and elegant, is built on a controlled concentration, brought to the point of perfect balance.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

What subtlety and complexity in this bouquet! It is marked by the freshness of red berries, along with hints of eucalyptus and cigar box. A lovely freshness on the palate. The wine is powerful and compact, with exceptionally refined tannins that lend it vigor with grace, without being overpowering. What grandeur, and what potential to stand the test of time! A truly great Cos destined to win over and charm many generations! The finish beautifully reflects the aromatic characteristics, with a lingering presence. 2026–2060

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is harmonious, beautifully balanced, and elegant, offering lovely finesse, richness (yet perfectly balanced), complexity, and a lovely, ripe, fleshy fruit with a subtle acidity. It features notes of fleshy blackcurrant, fleshy raspberry, and, to a lesser extent, fleshy blackberry, combined with hints of violet plum, ripe and pulpy blueberries, blueberry, violet, and a refined minerality, as well as hints of incense, spices (including exotic spices), cocoa, very subtle hints of vanilla, and a subtle touch of iodine. The palate is elegant, fruity, harmonious, delicate, and beautifully balanced (between finesse, power, and richness), almost very subtly tight, “complete,” and offers a tart structure, tension, delicacy, a lovely backbone, roundness, richness, as well as a lovely silky and fresh touch. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy/juicy blackcurrant, and, to a lesser extent, fleshy/juicy raspberry, combined with hints of wild strawberry, fleshy/juicy purple plum, fleshy cherry/morello, lily, as well as hints of chocolate, racy/“ terroir," toast, nutmeg, ripe almond, as well as a very subtle varietal note of Cuben pepper and sweet blond tobacco. The tannins are elegant, refined, and beautifully integrated. Savory and smooth on the finish. Lingering notes of toasted/caramelized hazelnut, ripe almond, chocolate, vanilla, and a very subtle hint of iodine. A lovely, well-rounded wine that offers a perfect balance of richness, finesse, power, and character!

Anthocyanes - Yohan Castaing

About the wine:

A superb nose of flowers, “al dente” black fruits, spices, and graphite. On the palate, it’s incredibly dense and full-bodied without being heavy, with beautiful tension and a caressing finish. Taut and fresh. Great overall precision. Lots of personality and class. A future very, very great Cos that asserts itself with a refined, delicate, and powerful mouthfeel, perfectly balanced and with a confident verticality. Bravo! Cellar for the next 50 years, even though it’s already possible to enjoy it now.