January 15, 2025
Super Second Growth: Cos d'Estournel 2018 & 2019
Super Second Growth: Cos d'Estournel
Today we have two spectacular vintages of Cos d’Estournel, showcasing the brilliance of 2018 and 2019.
Château Cos d'Estournel, located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation of Bordeaux, is a Second Growth estate often considered a “super second” for its consistent quality and reputation. Long celebrated for producing wines of remarkable power, complexity, and exotic flair, it is affectionately known as the "Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe" due to its unique architectural style inspired by the Orient. Cos d'Estournel is a true icon of Bordeaux, consistently delivering wines that rival those of the First Growths. The estate’s distinctive terroir, combined with its commitment to innovation and excellence, has made it one of the most sought-after wines in the world.
Today, we have two highly esteemed vintages available: the 2019 and 2018, both at an excellent price of €150 and €155 In Bond per bottle respectively.
2019 was vintage shaped by late-season rains, 2019 showcases freshness and structure with blackcurrant, blackberry, and raspberry aromas. Notes of coffee and nutmeg add depth, while a bright, clean profile sets it apart. This is a benchmark Saint-Estèphe, with tightly woven tannins and a long, refined finish. Antonio Galloni summarised it nicely for us; “The 2019 is impressive. That's all there is to it.”An intense, racy expression of Saint-Estèphe, the 2018 Cos d'Estournel benefited from the warmth of the growing season. This powerhouse wine, blending 74% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, reveals layers of crème de cassis, chocolate-covered cherries, and earthy spice. With immense depth and firm tannins, it demands patience. “An incredible wine from this estate that's as good as anything in the vintage” writes Jeb Dunnuck.
Secure your bottles of Cos d'Estournel 2018 and 2019 today whilst stocks last.
Cos d'Estournel 2019
€150* In Bond per bottle
*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.
99 Points James Suckling
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.
98 Points | Vinous - Antonio GalloniAntonio Galloni
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.
98 Points | Decanter, Jane Anson
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.
Cos d'Estournel 2018
€155* In Bond per bottle
*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.
98+ Points | Wine Advocate
The 2018 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new oak barriques. The alcohol weighs in at just over 14.5%. Sporting a deep purple-black color, it needs a lot of swirling to begin to unlock a powerful nose of crème de cassis, stewed plums, wild blueberries and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by nuances of Sichuan pepper, star anise, tree and clove oil, plus a waft of charcoal. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with taut, muscular black fruits and earthy layers, framed by super firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully earthy. A very impressive behemoth, this is going to need a good seven to 10 years to truly show its stuff and should drink for a good 40 years and beyond.
98+ Points | Jeb Dunnuck
An incredible wine from this estate that's as good as anything in the vintage, the 2018 Château Cos D'Estournel checks in as 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot that was brought up in 50% new French oak. While some 2018s are going to offer pleasure right out of the gate, this isn't one of them, but rather it's a backward, tannic powerhouse of a wine that has flawless balance as well as a level of purity that's off the charts. Thrilling crème de cassis fruit, notes of lead pencil, damp earth, cedarwood, violets, and acacia flowers, full-bodied richness, masses of ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish all make for a legendary Saint-Estèphe that will need a good decade of bottle age yet evolve for 50 years or more. If you are tempted to try a bottle in its youth, it needs lots of air.
98 Points | Vinous, Antonio Galloni
The 2018 Cos d'Estournel is a racy, powerful Saint-Estèphe that is going to need quite a bit of time to find its center. Today, it is tightly wound, but all the energy is there. Lush and extravagantly ripe, the 2018 possesses tremendous depth and plenty of energy to back it all up. Here, too, I found the wine a bit more expressive and giving en primeur.