Ch. Cos d'Estournel
2nd Growth Grand Cru Classe
Saint Estephe
2010

The producer

Cos d’Estournel’s stunning pagoda-decorated chateau is unmistakable, both from across the gully from Pauillac or on the highly recognizable label. Even the second wine nods towards the architectural feature, sporting the name “Les Pagodes de Cos”. This is arguably the best chateau in the commune. Located in the southern part of Saint-Estephe, on the border with Pauillac, and thus immediately north of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild (directly across the Jalle du Breuil stream).

Cos d’Estournel has 2^nd Growth status, in the 1855 classification, and its modern history starts in the middle of the 20^th century when grandchildren of Fernand Ginestet (owner since 1917) – Jean-Marie Prats, Yves Prats and Bruno Prats – took  over ownership and management. It was under their guidance, that the chateau, in 1995, became one of the first to be promoted and sold in China.

One and a half decades later, the chateau was acquired by French businessman, Michel Reybier, who is still the owner today. Michel carried out a complete renovation of winemaking facilities and cellars, and hired Bruno Prats’ son, Jean-Guillaume Prats, to manage the estate for him. Today, Michel Reybier heads the estate himself. 

100 hectares of vineyards are situated on a ridge with southern aspect. The soil is rich in gravel but with a high clay content. The Grand Vin – bold and powerful from a high percentage (usually a little more than two thirds) of Cabernet Sauvignon, with old vine Merlot and a spicing of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot – has an intensity and complexity which can easily compete with Pauillac’s finest estates.

The wine

The Grand Vin is crafted from 55-year-old, on average, vines surrounding the estate. The blend varies with vintage conditions but is usually comprised of around 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 28% Merlot and the remainder Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Vineyard plots are fermented separately prior to blending, after which ageing takes place in 60% new oak for 18 months. Cos is a bold and powerful wine with a sensuous intensity and complexity which is inarguably amongst the Left Bank’s finest.  

We choose our wines based on a range of criteria (see how we choose our wines) of which critic scores is just one. Rather than simply highlight the best score to promote a wine, our average critic score is calculated from the scores provided by several respected wine critics, who we follow for specific regions. They do not represent all critic scores and, wherever possible, we try and give more weight to more recent reviews. Where appropriate we consider market-based scores like Global Wine Score or Wine Searcher Average scores.

As a rule, we look to offer wines that achieve a 92/100 average critic score or better and frankly a lot of very good wines simply don’t make the cut. As a high-end provider we want to reflect that positioning in the quality of wines we offer. Such wines are only a tiny fraction of those generally on offer in the market. We believe that an average score is a more conservative and representative approach, but it is still subjective and only offered as a guide to our customers, who will (and should) do their own research. We will add individual critic scores to our website in the future.