Château Cos d'Estournel Saint-Estèphe 2022 - 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 elevators 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 full-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 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.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

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

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 occasionally veered into caricature, 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 an expression that once again captivates us.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Wow, what intensity! Spicy, intense notes of nutmeg, clove, ink, and blackberries. There are also aromas of asphalt, pencil lead, and tobacco. Full-bodied yet remarkably balanced, it offers exceptional depth and length. The tannins, while present, are firm and silky, and perfectly integrated. Its structure is superb. A neoclassical Cos, destined for long-term aging. Perhaps the best ever produced. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Best enjoyed after 2030.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Château Cos d'Estournel 2022 is an exceptional Saint-Estèphe, crafted from a classic blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, with the remainder consisting of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels—50% of which are new—this wine stands out for its remarkable concentration and refined elegance. It offers sensational aromas of blackcurrant, graphite, spring flowers, and subtle notes of tobacco, with beautiful fullness on the palate, a complex texture, and a monumental finish. With an alcohol content of 14% and a pH of 3.79, it ranks among the finest Cos d’Estournel wines ever produced. Already appealing in its youth, it will not reach its peak for another ten years or so and has an aging potential of 50 to 75 years. 2035–2110

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Never before had this vintage received such high praise. Black in color. The nose is intense, refined, fruity, pure, spicy, and complex. Captivating from the very first sip, captivating through the mid-palate, accompanied by a myriad of sophisticated, complex, and vibrant flavors, this wine—though very full-bodied—melts on the palate. Then come fresh fruits, dark fruits, floral notes, power, exceptional length, and an irresistibly savory creaminess. Ah, Merlot from Cos—it’s something else!

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is very rich and indulgent, with lovely concentration and depth, yet at the same time light and airy. The initial nose is rich in spices, combined with a decadent chocolatey note (licorice, fresh vanilla, cardamom, ground nutmeg, a hint of...

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Powerful, dense, rich, opulent, and harmonious, this wine with its opaque color is a true gem! It coats the palate with an infinite array of layers of dark, perfectly ripe red fruits, intermingled with black and blue notes, enhanced by a velvety, silky texture. The finish, persistent and full-bodied for over 60 seconds, releases waves of fruit, dark cocoa, licorice, and Asian spices. The finish, with its remarkable fluidity and purity, invites you to savor this hedonistic and elegant wine sip by sip. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. Best enjoyed between 2030 and 2060.