2nd Grand Cru Classé in 1855
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What other Château more recognizable on the Saint-Estèphe appellation than Cos d'Estournel with its oriental style and pagodas? An exceptional wine with an identity of its own and which has nothing to envy to anyone. In 1811, Louis Gaspard d'Estournel acquired several hectares of vines not far from the place called Cos, or "hill of pebbles". He soon travelled all over the world to promote his wines, including as far away as the East Indies, where they were much appreciated by the maharajas. A reputation that will earn him the nickname of "Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe". Then, the works of Château will begin from 1830, offering the famous architecture inspired by the Far East, with the pagodas and the statutes of elephants.
His reputation is worth it to obtain the title of Second Grand Cru Classé to the famous classification of 1855 for the World Fair in Paris. Owned since 2000 by entrepreneur Michel Reybier, many technical renovations have been undertaken there, in order to always aim for more excellence and precision.
Today, the vineyard reaches an area of 100 hectares of vines, averaging 45 years old and planted two-thirds with Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. They are used to produce the grand vin and the Second wine, the Pagodes de Cos. Some parcels are however planted with white grape varieties, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, used to produce the white Cos d'Estournel and the Second wine, the white Pagodes de Cos.
They rest on a magnificent gravelly ridge that looks out over the Gironde estuary, two elements that allow for natural soil drainage and thermal protection against frost, respectively.
The wines of Cos d'Estournel offer a unique moment of tasting. They are complex, fine and deep, with a perfect balance between fruit and substance.
The 2011 vintage offered an atypical climatology, with a very hot and dry first part until the end of June which allowed a fast development of the vine. The summer months were cooler and wetter, and the good weather returned in September with a sunny harvest. The harvest is carefully selected to keep only berries of homogeneous and high quality.
Blend of the 2011 vintage: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
The robe is a deep red color with an elegant shine.
The nose is complex and powerful, revealing aromas of very ripe forest fruits, kirsch cherry, undergrowth and peppery spices, enhanced by a hint of truffle.
The attack in mouth is silky and reveals very quickly a dense, balanced and long wine, carried by a silky tannic structure. We perceive greedy flavors of vanilla wood and blackcurrant cream, all carried by a nice acidity that lasts until the finish, long and racy.
Food and wine pairing:
Cos d'Estournel 2011 will be appreciated with a stuffed saddle of lamb, herb-crusted roast beef, duck breast with a pepper sauce or small game such as wild rabbit.
It goes well with uncooked pressed cheeses such as Gouda, aged mimolette, cantal or morbier with truffles.
Enjoy it with desserts such as pear and chocolate cake, black forest or profiteroles.
Cellaring potential and tasting:
Cos d'Estournel 2011 will reach its tasting peak between 2025 and 2030. A vintage of patience that can of course be enjoyed today, by opening and decanting the bottle 3 to 4 hours before tasting, so that it can fully develop all its aromas.
To follow its evolution over time, it is advisable to proceed with successive tastings to measure the evolution of the wine and its qualitative peak.
The bottles will be kept in the cellar in a dark place, lying down, with an optimal hygrometric degree of 70%.
