Cos d’Estournel released this morning at a favourable price of £675 per 6 bottle case in bond.
This compares well with the release prices of the following recent vintages (source : Liv-ex.com)
2018 - £888/6 in bond
2017 - £654/6 in bond
2016 - £700/6 in bond
2015 - £636/6 in bond
We have monitored the return to form of this great St. Estèphe for some time, and noted a distinct shift to far greater refinement in the 2016 vintage, which we backed and bought in quantity, before the critics had released. To revisit our comments back then please follow this link: Cos d'Estournel 2016. The 2016 was subsequently awarded a 100-point score by Neal Martin.
With regards to the 2019 vintage, we enquired with the Château to see if they would send a sample, but that turned out not to be their policy in this tricky year. We are therefore offering blind to some degree, but given the significant reduction in price and the uptick in quality at this Château, we feel compelled to offer it, particularly as critics have talked of the similarity to the 2016 wines of the Northern Médoc.
The 2019 is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignion and 35% Merlot.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown of robertparker.com gave the wine 97-99+ and the following note:
Harvest for the grand vin began on the 23rd of September and finished on the 7th of October. Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot (with no Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc this year), yields for this wine in 2019 were 43 hectoliters per hectare, and it is aging in 55% new oak. It came in at an alcohol level of 14.02% and an IPT of 67. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Cos d'Estournel soars out of the glass with vibrant black raspberries, Black Forest cake and crushed blackcurrants scents plus nuances of red roses, wild sage, dark chocolate and cast-iron pan with a waft of woodsmoke. The medium to full-bodied palate is taut, muscular and built like a skyscraper, with firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness supporting the concentrated black fruit flavors, finishing with incredible length and depth. This wine so beautifully, clearly captures the juxtaposition between the periods of dry heat and those hallelujah moments of refreshing rain - the hallmarks of this great vintage. It's a vinous masterpiece in the making.
I don’t tend to quote James Suckling’s notes and scores as they always seem to operate in the high nineties, with touches of sensationalism, but in case it is of use, he comments as follows while awarding a 98-99 point score.
‘A very powerful and structured Cos. It’s full and layered, but not overpowering in terms of fruit. It’s more about the abundant, very fine tannins. It’s a classic wine with historical grip and power. Real Bordeaux. Sophisticated and provocative.'
Let us know of your interest at your earliest opportunity.
All the best,
Simon