Château Cos d'Estournel 2017

Château Cos d'Estournel 2017 is an exceptional, internationally renowned red, classified Deuxième Grand Cru Classé in the prestigious Saint-Estèphe appellation in Bordeaux, France. Considered a real triumph in a challenging year for the region, this blend brilliantly combines the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the opulence of Merlot.

The Wine Advocate
RP 98+

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Composed of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 grand vin yielded 43 hectolitres per hectare and aged in 60% new oak barrels. The alcohol is 13% and the IPT (Total Polyphenol Index) 68.

Deep garnet-purple, the 2017 Cos d’Estournel needs some time in the glass to open, revealing beautiful expressions of preserved plums, boysenberries, blackcurrant pastilles and wild blueberries, with notes of Indian spices, menthol, lilacs and mossy tree bark, plus a captivating hint of iron ore.

Medium to full-bodied, the palate is supported by a solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins, with well-integrated freshness supporting the compact layers of blue and black fruit. The finish is long and perfumed.

This wine will need another 5 to 7 years in bottle before it starts to show its full potential, and should develop for at least another 40 years. I expect it to be absolutely stunning when I taste it again at 10 years old!

Published: 16 March 2020.

Château Cos d'Estournel 2017: James Suckling Review (98/100)

With an impressive 98 out of 100, James Suckling considers Château Cos d'Estournel 2017 a remarkable expression of the estate, highlighting its combination of power, refinement and longevity.

On the nose it shows striking aromatic complexity, with sweet spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon intertwined with hints of dried meat, ripe plum, cedar and sandalwood. The whole has great depth and sophistication.

On the palate it's broad and structured, full-bodied, with a particularly dense, concentrated mid-palate. The texture stands out for the quality of its tannins, described as extremely polished and precise, giving a silky, harmonious feel.

The finish is long, elegant and persistent, marked by a remarkable combination of subtlety, firmness and freshness, culminating in an almost ethereal impression. According to Suckling, it's a wine of great class with excellent ageing potential, recommended for drinking from 2023.