2018 Cos d'Estournel (750ml)

Cabernet Sauvignon from Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
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Boasting the stunning longevity typical of first growth Bordeaux, the quality of Cos d'Estournel has skyrocketed under the leadership of entrepreneur Michel Reybier since his purchase of the Chateau in 2000. Producing exceptionally elegant and opulent Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Bordeaux blends year over year, this special selection from Cos d'Estournel encompasses a range of vintages from the 99pt 2005 to the 98+pt 2018, offering elegant, layered fruit, impressive texture and staggering intensity, some ready to enjoy now and all cellar-worthy for decades to come, now at exceptional pricing.

Situated on the hill just north of Lafite-Rothschild on the Route des Chateaux, the extravagant Taj Mahal-like façade of Cos d'Estournel hints at the spellbinding greatness of the wines produced on the estate, the iconic vista engraved on its labels. Established in southern Saint Estephe on Bordeaux's Left Bank in 1801, Cos d'Estournel was classified as a Second Growth in 1855 but over the last two decades under Reybier has acquired a reputation rivalling nearby first growth estates. With the assistance of technical director Dominique Arangoits, Michel Reybier's upgrades at Cos have included construction of a modern 100% gravity flow cellar to preserve the character of the fruit and the identification of different soil types in the vineyards to improve viticulture, improvements reflected in the wines' consistently excellent ratings over the last 15 vintages. Boasting a higher gravel content than most estates in Saint Estephe ("Cos" translates as "hill of pebbles"), the pebble-strewn vineyards are divided into distinct parcels based on soil type and exposure, with the vines averaging over 40 years of age. Employing extra care to preserve the estate's 100 year old Merlot vines, each parcel is meticulously tended and harvested at optimal ripeness, with the old vine Merlot contributing rich fruit and harmonic balance to the opulent signature style of Cos d'Estournel.

Over 200 years after founder Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel envisioned an estate that would create extraordinary wine, Cos d'Estournel is producing some of the most complex and ageworthy Bordeaux in the region, now under the thoughtful stewardship of Michel Reybier. Described as "one of Bordeaux's greatest properties" by Wine Spectator critic James Molesworth, these Cos d'Estournel Bordeaux blends are precise, focused and long-lived, offering the first growth quality of its nearby neighbors in Pauillac at a fraction of the price.

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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, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Mar 2021)

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, Jeb Dunnuck (Mar 2021)

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.

98 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Mar 2021)

The richness and beauty of this wine is impressive with blackcurrant, cherry, berry and fresh cloves. The fruit is so pure here. Full-bodied with tannins that are so integrated and refined that you don’t feel them, yet they are there! Very creamy and layered with great length and beauty. It turns to tar and licorice at the finish. Tight now, but the texture is special. Try after 2027.

98 points, James Suckling (Mar 2021)

Just over the border from Pauillac into St Estèphe, Michel Reybier's Cos d'Estournel is for me the wine of the 2018 vintage in St Estèphe. Perhaps because it often showcases turmeric, cinammon and saffron spices, finding them in 2018 feels in keeping with the signature flavours of the property rather than being overly marked by vintage conditions. There is complexity and power here also damson, fig, cassis and blackberry fruits, alongside muscular tannins. Fresh acidities through the finish keep a sense of momentum and this is powerful with ambition, and it carries it off perfectly. 65% of production went into the grand vin. 50% new oak (a little lower than the usual 60%).

97 points, Jane Anson (Oct 2021)

This is a bird of a different feather, with a ripe, sleek, and very polished feel as creamed loganberry, plum and boysenberry flavors spill forth, flanked for support by singed alder and incense notes, while black tea and savory threads curl around the finish. Long, showy and lovely. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2038. 16,600 cases made.

96 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2021)

Rich and dense, this wine is happily poised between ripe fruits and a deceptively powerful structure. Smoky flavors from wood aging combine with solid black fruits that strain but never overstep an impressive balance. This wine will age, promising much for the future. Drink from 2026.

96 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (May 2021)

Alcohol By Volume: 14.5%

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$219.88

Compare At: $219.99

11 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

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