Red Bordeaux

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world's finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six 'official' Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act â€“ the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.

France

France, often regarded as the heart of the wine world, boasts a rich history, diverse terroirs, and a captivating variety of grape varietals. From the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux to the picturesque landscapes of Burgundy, France offers a wine lover’s dream journey. Whether you’re new to the world of wine or a seasoned enthusiast looking […]

Bordeaux

Bordeaux: The Pinnacle of Terroir Expression In the illustrious realm of wine, Bordeaux stands as a beacon of excellence, where history, tradition, and terroir converge to create some of the world’s most iconic wines. Bordeaux’s rich mosaic of vineyards is characterized by the left bank, right bank, and the sweet symphony of Sauternes. Each of […]

Saint Estephe

Saint-Estèphe, an esteemed appellation within Bordeaux's Left Bank, exemplifies the power and character of Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. What makes Saint-Estèphe unique is its robust and structured reds, primarily crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The region's maritime influence from the Gironde estuary, coupled with gravelly soils, imparts distinctive minerality and a pronounced tannic backbone to the wines. Home to renowned châteaux like Cos d'Estournel and Montrose, Saint-Estèphe wines showcase a deep, dark fruit profile, nuanced with cedar, tobacco, and earthy notes. Unlike some neighboring appellations, Saint-Estèphe's lack of a formal classification system underscores its commitment to quality across its diverse vineyards. Exploring Saint-Estèphe unveils the essence of Bordeaux winemaking, where tradition, terroir, and a focus on the intrinsic character of Cabernet Sauvignon converge to create wines that resonate with strength, complexity, and the artistry of the region's winemakers.

JS 99pts

James Suckling

#40 Wine of the World 2022. This is so aromatic with blackcurrants, black berries and raspberries. Pure fruit, together with coffee and nutmeg. Really fresh and clean with bright spices. Full-bodied, yet reserved and tight with fantastic structure. So long. This is a great Cos for the cellar. A real benchmark for the true character. Needs at least five or six years to open and come around. Try after 2029.

VM 98pts

Vinous Media

The 2019 Cos d'Estournel is a deep, powerful wine. That has been true on both times I have tasted it recently. Readers will have to be patient. Those who can afford it will be rewarded with a towering, statuesque Saint-Estèphe. With a bit of air the fruit starts to emerge, but this is a very reticent Cos that does not show the opulence that it often does in its youth. Gravel, smoke, incense, tobacco and dried flowers gradually unfurl over time, hinting at a very bright future. The 2019 is impressive. That's all there is to it. Tasted two times.

WE 98pts

Wine Enthusiast

Gone are the days when this illustrious estate produced the most powerful wine possible. This new release is stylish and packed with great black fruits. Some dark chocolate flavors add density while keeping the wine's perfume and blackberry flavors. It is impressive, likely ready to drink from 2026. (Cellar Selection)

DC 98pts

Decanter

Powerful and enjoyable Cos. Needs to be given time in the glass to reveal the impressively velvety texture, and the sheer depth of bitter black chocolate, black truffle and coffee notes. The tannins sit back and then build slowly to full bristling impact by the close of play. Feels extremely sophisticated, with the always-present Cos glamour. This was a vintage where the heat was starting to be worrying until the September rains that began around 22nd, and helped bring the Cabernet back into a more classical line, and away from the extremes of 2018. 40hl/h final yield.

WA 97pts

Wine Advocate

The 2019 Cos d'Estournel has turned out brilliantly, exhibiting aromas of minty cassis, sweet wild berries and wild plums mingled with hints of spices, loamy soil and potpourri. Full-bodied, broad and enveloping, it's polished and seamless, its ample chassis of fine, velvety tannin entirely concealed in its deep core of succulent, crunchy fruit. Beautifully integrated at this early stage, the last decade has witnessed a number of changes at this address, including a trend toward less aggressively late picking, cooler fermentations and élevage with fewer rackings and more moderate percentages of less heavily toasted new oak: in 2019, the results speak for themselves.

TWI 97pts

The Wine Independent

Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, the 2019 Cos d'Estournel is deep garnet-purple in color. It is slightly closed to begin, revealing slow-emerging scents of baked black cherries, mulberries, fragrant earth, and potpourri, leading to a core of warm cassis and pencil shavings. The medium to full-bodied palate is rock-solid, well-supporting the tightly wound, muscular black fruit, finishing with plenty of freshness and a minerally lift. It will require another 4-5 years to emerge from this cocoon and spread its wings.

WS 96pts

Wine Spectator

Dark and winey, featuring black currant, fig and blackberry preserve flavors laced with a smoldering hint of cast iron, plus notes of anise, apple wood, sweet bay leaf and warm earth. The finish offers a long sanguine thread that stitches it all up. Gorgeous. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2024 through 2040. 15,000 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.

JD 96pts

Jeb Dunnuck

The Grand Vin 2019 Château Cos D'Estournel checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot coming from 43 hectoliters per hectare and hitting a healthy 14% alcohol. Brought up in just 55% new French oak, it's a pretty, elegant, seamless Saint-Estèphe that has plenty of redcurrant and cassis-like fruit as well as lead pencil, graphite, and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied, it has supple, fine tannins, wonderful purity, and a classy, regal profile that will be loved by staunch traditionalists out there. Exceedingly elegant and finesse-driven, with a touch of Château Lafite-like character, I compared this wine to a more elegant version of the 2016 from barrel, but now from bottle, I think 2014 is a better comparison in its weight, balance, and just overall style. It has a silky, charming style that already offers pleasure but won't hit maturity for a good 7-8 years and will have 25+ years of prime drinking.