Chateau Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe

 

Classification:

Secd-growth in 1855

 

Vineyards (red):

Surface area: 158 acres

Average age of vines: 35 years

Blend: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot

Density of plantation: 9,000 vines per hectare

Average yields (over the last 5 years): 50 hectoliters per hectare

Total average annual production: 400,000 bottles

 

Grand Vin (red):

Brand name: Chateau Cos d'Estournel

Appellation: St.-Estèphe

Mean annual production: 300,000 bottles

Upbringing: Grapes are picked by hand, and

winemaking is traditional. Fermentations last approximately 3 weeks. Wines are transferred into oak barrels, after having completed their malolactics in vats. In 1997, for the first time, Prats decided to do 100% malolactic fermentation in small oak casks. Depending upon the vintage, the percentage of new oak varies between 60% and 100%. Wines are fined and filtered.

 

Second Wine (bottle shown):

Brand name: Les Pagodes de Cos

Average annual production: 100,000 bottles

 

Evaluation of present classification: Since 1982 the quality equivalent of a first-growth.

Plateau of maturity: 8-30 years following the vintage.

 

"Under the inspired direction of Bruno Prats, Cos d'Estournel (pronounced, surprisingly, with a sounded "oss" in Cos) has risen to the top of its class in St.-Estèphe. Since 1982 the wines have gone from one strength to another, and in most vintages Cos d'Estournel can be expected to produce one of the Médoc's finest wines. This chateau, which resembles an Asian pagoda, sits on a ridge immediately north of the Pauillac border, looking down on its famous neighbor, Lafite-Rothschild. Atypically for a Médoc, Cos is distinguished by the high percentage of Merlot used in the blend - 40% - and the elevated us of new oak casks - 60% to 100%. This proportion of Merlot is among the highest used in the Haut-Médoc and also accounts for the fleshy richly textured character so noticeable in recent vintages of Cos d'Estournel."

 
Rated "Outstanding" Robert M. Parker Jr.