Bordeaux 2020 En Primeur | Château Cos d'Estournel
"Amazing elegance and grace. I love the way this shimmies and shines"
Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The Primeurs re-open with the launch of Cos d’Estournel 2020, a celebratory vintage sporting a special gold engraved label for the 20th year anniversary of Michel Reybier’s tenure.
Since taking ownership of this illustrious Chateau in 2000, food industrialist Michel Reybier worked hard to improve quality at Cos. In collaboration with Jean-Guillaume Prats, the duo built the most innovative wine cellar of Bordeaux. Working only with gravity, inspired by the concept of simplicity and efficiency, the cellars at Cos are one of a kind - a work of art, fitting perfectly with the renown exotic design of the exteriors, the latter inspired by the predominant market presence the Chateau held in India back in the 19th century. A gleaming row of cone-shaped stainless steel vessels were designed so to vinify the prized grapes in complete thermal inertia, thus enabling micro-vinification of each tiny plot, before expert blending of the final Grand Vin. The vineyards, planted on Cabernet and Merlot, sit on a bedrock of gravel and stones of old origin. The purest expression of this magical terroir is now a trademark of Cos d’Estournel, a property making headlines for the stunning quality produced, year on year.
The 2020 vintage comes to market with a wonderfully compact and sinewy wine, offering “amazing elegance and grace” (96-98 WA). The classic St. Estephe personality is in full show, with notes of sage, violets, cigar box and a touch of iron taking central stage upon tasting. This is a remarkable effort from the Chateau – a wonderful vintage which will be bottled in a limited edition, gold-engraved bottle, making this a rare piece soon sought after by international wine collectors for years to come.
Along with the Grand Vin, Cos releases its "precise and confident (JA)" second vin, Les Pagodes. On The Wine Cellar Insider, Jeff Leve notes how "since 2005, Les Pagodes de Cos has morphed into one of the better second wines in all of Bordeaux". In 2020, this Les Pagodes is drop-dead gorgeous, providing a much needed introduction to the vintage chez Cos while the Grand Vin slowly matures.
Please find below pricing and review for your perusal. Allocations are tight and quantities in our hands rather tiny.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
FINE WINE TEAM
WINE SOURCE
2020
CHATEAU COS D'ESTOURNEL
St-Estèphe Grand Cru Classe
€ 1050 per 6 Bottles IB
€ 1056 per 3x150cl Magnums
€ 735 per 1x300cl Double Magnum
€ 1,446 per 1x600cl Imperial
Blend: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot
96-98 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
Deep purple-black in color, it pops with explosive scents of ripe red and black currants, black cherry preserves and black raspberries, followed by sparks of violets, wild sage, pencil lead and clove oil, with emerging hints of iron ore and damp soil. The medium-bodied palate has amazing elegance and grace contrasted by jaw-dropping energy, featuring a firm frame of finely grained tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with a whole firework display of mineral nuances. I love the way this Cos d'Estournel shimmies and shines—a unique vintage signature expressed so beautifully at this estate! Drink 2028-2060
95-97 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous
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-Estèphe-like traits: freshly tilled soil, cigar box and touches of warm gravel. There is an openness to these inviting aromatics. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins (so different from the "iron girders" of yore). There is freshness and a sense of light in this Cos d’Estournel, though the backbone remains in situ on the cedar and mint finish (a nod to neighboring Pauillac, perhaps), then a lingering marine/seaweed note on the aftertaste. This is a finely crafted, very succinct Cos d’Estournel that may well be hiding something up its sleeve for after bottling, and I suspect it will gain more spine during its barrel aging. Drink 2025-2060
97 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter
You need to take a little time to let the concentrated flavours seep out, this is a long hauler. The tannins build slowly but surely through the palate, sombre and serious right now, particularly for an estate that is known for its exuberance. The opulence is there if you give it time, and as the tannins elongate and relax, richer notes of bilberry fruits, toasted cedar, salted chocolate, turmeric and black pepper spice arrives. Harvest September 10 to 24. A 3.9pH is the highest since 2003, but any threat of low acidity is balanced by high tannins, and relatively low alcohol. A yield of 39hl/ha (43hl/ha in 2019). Drinking Window 2027 - 2044
2020
LES PAGODES DE COS
St-Estèphe, Second Vin
€ 217 per 6 Bottles IB
€ 223 per 3x150cl Magnums
€ 180 per 1x300cl Double Magnum
€ 336 per 1x600cl Imperial
Blend: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
92 Points, Jane Anson, Decanter
Maintains both a spiced kick and creamy texture through the palate, giving form and character. Silky texture, with cinnamon and saffron-laden blackberry fruits. This is precise and confident with sweet and tender tannins, the power is almost hidden at this point but it is there. 38% of overall production. 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Drinking Window 2024 - 2038
91-93 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with pretty, open-knit scents of stewed black plums, boysenberries and warm cassis, plus savory hints of charcuterie, woodsmoke, black truffles and bouquet garni. Medium-bodied, the palate is packed with crunchy black fruit flavors and dried herbs accents, supported by bags of freshness and well-managed, grainy tannins, finishing with great length and a lively skip in its step. Drink 2024-2039
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This is an En Primeur offer with UK ETA by Summer 2023.
Limited quantities available, offered on allocation only.
Bonded Storage offered via Nexus (for UK and EU).
Payment due on invoice.