| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > St Estèphe |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Cos d'Estournel is in Saint Estèphe but borders Pauillac and, in particular, the vineyards of Château Lafite. Quality was good in the 1990s but, since the 2001 vintage, it has reached another level. In some vintages the quality level is not far from that of the first growths. The stunning winery is one of the most modern and sophisticated in all of Bordeaux, with a 100% gravity-fed cellar.
The 2021 Cos d'Estournel is one of the denser, more muscular wines of the vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, charcoal, sweet cigar wrapper and subtle hints of smoked meats, framed by a touch of toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's rich and quite concentrated for the vintage, with a chassis of sweet, generously extracted tannin and a long, lusty finish. Drink 2026-2045.
The yield here was 35 hl/ha - only slightly less than normal. With no chaptalisation or resverse osmosis the alcohol is a modest 12.74% from 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The extraction was gentle and the new oak toned down to 55%. Deep ruby colour. The nose is spice-laden at this stage, but there is an exotic red fruit character underneath. The palate has the same mark of wood at the moment but bright acidity and cool black fruit push through with more success. This is a narrow, focused wine for now that is more vertical than broad. Chewy, grippy tannins and high acid offer ample structure. Liquorice, cedar, star anise and cool blackcurrant fruit together with rosemary on the finish.
A firm red with solid, compact tannins. Medium to full body with plenty of blackcurrant, pencil-lead and graphite character. Compact and structured throughout, with a firm finish. Linear and muscular tannins at the end that are very formed and curated. It will be interesting to see how this one evolves. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot.
The 2021 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it struts out of the glass with classic scents of blackcurrant pastilles, ripe juicy plums, and cedar chest, followed by hints of crushed rocks, pencil shavings, and cinnamon stick. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is tightly wound with firm, grainy tannins and integrated freshness supporting the intense, mineral-laced fruit, finishing long and savory.
2028-2060
This vintage, which can be overly straight and austere, benefits from the house style of Cos, where they are happy to add a twist of gourmet glamour, and I am seriously impressed with this wine. It showcases the successful sides of a cool vintage in spades, with bitter black chocolate, cool blue fruits, lemongrass and turmeric and black pepper spices. 55% new oak. 3.79ph. 53% of overall production is for the 1st wine, the rest in Pagodes. Easily one of the wines of the vintage.
64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Cask sample.
Dark and reticent with a touch of cassis as the wine opens. Linear and firm with a rich but fine tannic frame. Solid through the mid palate and on through the finish. Structured and with plenty of matière. Well within itself so room to develop. (JL) 12.7%
Drink 2030 – 2050
The 2021 Cos d'Estournel is very promising, offering up rich aromas of dark berries, plums, exotic spices, loamy soil and rose petals, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless palate that's impressively vibrant and concentrated, with powdery tannins, bright acids and a long, penetrating finish. Only 53% of the production made it into the grand vin, and the blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Technical director Dominique Arangoïts reports that Cos was spared by frost and coulure at flowering, harvesting between September 23 and October 4, and fermenting a touch hotter than has been the case in recent years, at around 28-29 degrees Celsius.
