France · Bordeaux

Cos d'Estournel

Cos d'Estournel is the undisputed leader of Saint-Estèphe and one of Bordeaux's most recognisable estates, its pagoda-adorned château a landmark of the Médoc. Louis Gaspard d'Estournel built his fortune on exporting wine to India in the 19th century and constructed the exotic architecture as a testament to his travels. The estate was acquired by Michel Reybier in 2000, who commissioned a spectacular new winery completed in 2008 that ranks among the most technologically advanced in the region. The 91-hectare vineyard on a ridge of gravel and sand produces a wine celebrated for combining St-Estèphe's structure with a sensuous, sometimes almost Pomerol-like richness. Under winemaker Dominique Arangoits, the style has evolved toward greater precision and elegance without losing its signature power. The blend typically leads with Cabernet Sauvignon, with a significant proportion of Merlot contributing roundness. Legendary vintages include 1982, 1986, 2000, 2003, 2009, and 2010. The second wine Les Pagodes de Cos is excellent. At auction Cos is among the most actively traded of all Second Growths, with collectors tracking every vintage given its consistent overperformance relative to classification.