Château Cos d'Estournel Saint-Estèphe 2025 - 2nd Grand Cru Classé (Primeurs)

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 that name.

A bright pink color in the glass. Velvety, full-bodied, and smooth, yet still substantial, with notes of fresh blueberries and graphite. A very pronounced gravelly minerality gives it lovely precision and a clean, straightforward profile, while revealing lovely nuances of flavor and fruitiness. Classic in the sense that it has a low alcohol content while retaining ripe tannins—a lovely combination. I’d say it’s still a bit reserved for a Cos, a far cry from the ostentatious and exuberant style one sometimes encounters. Refined yet well-structured, and certainly not overripe. Dominique Arangoits, technical director at Cos d’Estournel, stated that 2025 was a “very interesting vintage: the drought arrived early, which allowed the vines to adapt better. Easter brought three days of rain, with 115 mm on April 20—which proved vital—followed by a welcome rainfall in late August. We began the harvest on September 3—our earliest on record. The tannins and color are of excellent quality—we benefited from a warm growing season as well as cool nights, low alcohol content, and plenty of fresh fruit. It’s a blend of styles—the ripeness and early harvest of 2022 and the freshness of 2016. Perhaps a bit like 2020.” pH of 3.68. 65% of the harvest went into premium wine. 2034–2050

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 an expression that once again captivates us.

A dense wine that remains balanced and complex, with well-integrated tannins and a juicy finish. It starts out very fruity, then opens up to reveal velvety tannins and an open texture. Intense yet subtle aromas of blackberries, pencil lead, and hazelnuts. Some mineral notes. A lingering, understated finish. Great potential. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot.

Blackcurrant, red currant, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and graphite: these are the aromas that characterize the 2025 Château Cos D’Estournel, a powerful, ripe, and concentrated wine composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, 50% of which is still aging in new oak barrels. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with a pure and complex texture, well-integrated oak, and a lovely finish. It remains lively, balanced, and remarkably fresh despite its weight and richness, and I would gladly rank it among the cream of the crop of this vintage.

The bouquet of Cos d’Estournel begins by revealing its depth and character with nuances of black and red berries, complemented by a hint of eucalyptus. As it breathes, it becomes even more defined, highlighting its freshness through notes of raspberries followed by licorice sticks. On the palate, the wine follows the same trajectory as the bouquet. It begins by establishing its foundation before giving way to finer details. It gains breadth and power, ultimately revealing exceptional intensity and structuring acidity. A well-rounded Cos with a magnificent ability to excel equally in freshness, subtlety, and vigor. 2032–2065