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

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The wine-making cellar, as spectacular in its own right as the château’s pagodas, is equipped with tank elevators that allow for gravity-fed processing—not only during vinification 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 full-bodied wine of the Médoc, the most voluptuous in texture, while retaining the finesse and complexity characteristic of its proximity to Lafite. Recent vintages have gained even greater aromatic purity and sincerity of expression. A highly 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—sweet and delicate, yet just 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 subtle hints of cocoa and licorice. The velvety texture and overall clarity stand out—vibrant and precise—with layers of lovely, soft, and fragrant fruit, supported by generous acidity. Sophisticated and enjoyable. 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 estate, which has produced a wine of exceptional balance. On the palate, it is juicy, flavorful, and deep all at once, with a vibrant finish that makes it a benchmark for the estate.

About the estate:

Businessman Michel Reybier, who acquired the estate in 2000, invested heavily to equip Cos d’Estournel with everything necessary 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 veered into caricature at times, pushing the finesse that the terroir is capable of expressing into the background. The tide has turned, and with its latest vintages, Cos has rediscovered a character that once again captivates us.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

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

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2019 Cos d'Estournel 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 doesn’t yet display the opulence it often exhibits in its youth. Gravel, smoke, incense, tobacco, and dried flowers gradually unfold over 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 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 fantastic structure. Very long finish. This is a great Cos for the cellar. A standout wine with real character. It needs at least 5 or 6 years to open up and reach its full potential. Try it after 2029.

Terre de Vins

About the wine:

While the estate manager, Dominique Arangoits, admits, “We were worried all year—the ’19 vintage comes on the heels of an excellent ’18,” 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—enough each time) would once again produce a combination of excellence. In fact, this vintage is poised to go down in Cos’s history with its refined and deep bouquet, where noble aromas of leather, black fruit, and coffee beans take turns on the nose, and the structured body unfolds with a silky, mineral-driven texture. The wine, very refined and elegant, is built on a masterfully controlled concentration, brought to the perfect point of balance.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

What subtlety and complexity in this bouquet! It is marked by the freshness of red berries, as well as hints of eucalyptus and a cigar box. A lovely freshness on the palate. The wine is powerful, compact, and endowed with tannins of great finesse that lend it vigor with serenity, without being ostentatious. 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 lovely, fleshy, ripe fruit with a subtle touch of acidity. It reveals notes of fleshy blackcurrant, fleshy raspberry, and, to a lesser extent, fleshy blackberry, combined with hints of purple plum, ripe and pulpy blueberries, blueberry, violet, refined minerality, as well as hints of incense, spices (including exotic spices), cocoa, very subtle hints of vanilla, and a subtle hint of iodine. On the palate, it is elegant, fruity, harmonious, delicate, and very nicely balanced (between finesse, power, and richness), with an almost imperceptibly firm structure; it is “complete” and offers a lively acidity, tension, delicacy, a lovely backbone, roundness, body, and a lovely silky, fresh texture. 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, pulpy/juicy purple plum, fleshy cherry/morello cherry, lily, as well as hints of chocolate, refined/“ terroir,” toasty notes, nutmeg, ripe almond, as well as a very subtle varietal note, Cuben pepper, and sweet blond tobacco. The tannins are elegant, refined, and beautifully integrated. The finish is savory and smooth. The aftertaste lingers with notes of toasted and caramelized hazelnut, ripe almond, chocolate, vanilla, and a very subtle hint of iodine. A truly 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—massive without being heavy—with beautiful tension and a caressing finish. Taut and fresh. Great overall precision. Plenty of personality and class. A future very, very great Cos that asserts itself with a refined, delicate, and powerful mouthfeel—perfectly balanced and boldly vertical. Bravo! Cellar for the next 50 years, even though it’s already a delight to drink now.