In Bond Fine Wine. 2020 Château Cos d'Estournel, Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France. Second Growth • Red Bordeaux in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 97/100 (NM). Drinking window: 2027–2055. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
A famed Second Growth and the leading estate in Saint Estephe, superbly situated adjacent to Lafite on the bend between Saint Estephe and Pauillac. Cos d'Estournel is a property that is constantly measuring itself against the First Growths in an effort to push quality even further, and with the vision of Jean-Guillaume Prats, Cos has achieved new heights with a superb run of vintages since 2001. The emphasis here is on detail and precision, in the vineyard and in the cellar where no expense has been spared; a a new modernist state-of-the-art chai opened in 2009, designed to use gravity flow to move the grapes and must, to minimise handling of the grapes and to allow each parcel to be vinified separately. Its second wine is the very good Pagodes de Cos. Cos is rich, aromatic and sumptuous in style. A wine to rival the First Growths.
Neal Martin (NM) — 95–97/100 · Vinous, 27/05/2021 · Drink 2025 - 2060
The 2020 Cos d'Estournel is a very different proposition to the Les Pagodes, more so than in other years. Much more intense on the nose of intense black fruit, it is beautifully defined, with enticing scents of blackberry, Dorset plum and topnotes of blueberry and briar. After 30 minutes in the glass, it develops more Saint-Est'phe-like traits: freshly tilled soil, cigar box and touches of warm g…
Jeb Dunnuck (JD) — 95–97/100 · JebDunnuck.com, 25/05/2021
The Grand Vin 2020 Chateau Cos D'Estournel is based on 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot that was brought up in 55% new French oak. An inky-hued, concentrated, yet flawlessly balanced wine, it has gorgeous cassis and dark currant fruits, medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, building tannins, and just a wonderful sense of purity and elegance backed up by ample concentration. It stays tight, f…
James Suckling (JS) — 97–98/100 · JamesSuckling.com, 23/05/2021
This is a very refined, polished Cos with superb finesse and length. Medium-to full-bodied, very fine and persistent. Really long with beautiful tannins. Rich, but fresh and linear. Yet, the alcohol is around 13.5%. 62% cabernet and 38% merlot.