Château Cos d'Estournel Saint-Estèphe 2022 - 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.

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 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.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Wow, what intensity! Intense, spicy notes of nutmeg, cloves, 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 yet 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 between 50 and 75 years. 2035–2110

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Never before had this vintage received such high praise. Deep black color. An intense, refined, fruity, pure, spicy, and complex nose. Captivating from the very first sip, captivating through the mid-palate, accompanied by a myriad of sophisticated, complex, and vibrant flavors—yet this full-bodied wine is smooth on the palate. Then come the fresh fruits, the dark fruits, the flowers, the power, a very long finish, and an irresistible, savory smoothness. Ah, Merlot from Cos—it’s something else!

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is very indulgent, with lovely concentration and depth, yet airy at the same time. 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.