NEW 2020 BORDEAUX EN PRIMEUR RELEASE - Château Cos d'Estournel

NEW 2020 BORDEAUX EN PRIMEUR RELEASE - Château Cos d'Estournel

2020 Château Cos d'Estournel
2ème Cru Classé, Saint-Estèphe

£900 per 6 bottle case in bond

Château Cos d’Estournel has released this morning, with a significant increase in price over last year’s release, at £900 per 6 bottle case in bond. See below for a list of release prices for recent vintages. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to taste the 2020, but the critics seem unanimous in their praise.
 
Leaving the price aside for a moment, the question is; ‘has Cos ratchetted up the quality of its wines in recent years?’ I think the answer is an overwhelming ‘yes’. Since 2016, the wines have impressed us greatly, representing the intensity and refinement which is associated with only the very best wines of the left bank of Bordeaux. I have mentioned before that I rate Michael Schuster’s opinion very highly indeed, he is invariably a miserly scorer of wines, but it is his words that really count. When he writes that the 2020 is a ‘a most complete and refined claret of First Growth quality’, I have to take note, and it makes me ponder whether there is justification for the release price beyond the commemorative gold label that seems to excite the Asian market.
 
Release prices for recent vintages of Château Cos d’Estournel :
 
2019                      £684/6 in bond

2018                      £888/6 in bond

2017                      £654/6 in bond

2016                      £700/6 in bond

 bottle web

The key critics’ notes :


2020 Château Cos d’Estournel, 2ème Cru Classé, Saint-Estèphe
£900 per 6 bottle case in bond

97-98 points, Michael Schuster, The World of Fine Wine
Subtle black fruit, and a lovely, insistent gravel impression, already a nose that really tempts one to linger; rich, medium-full, beautifully, imperceptibly defined by its acidity and with superfine, velvety tannin; here is a mouthcoating, sweetly ripe Cabernet core, but a ripeness absolutely without excess, and remaining so fresh; subtle, flattering, prolonged, quietly aristocratic, the very essence of grand vin, and with terrific persistence. Great Cos, providing the sort of sensory satisfaction and appeal you get in a rich, detailed, sustained mezzoforte chord from a prime orchestra. A most complete and refined claret of first-growth quality. There is such polish in all the Cos wines—a great tribute to the team, led by Dominique Arangoits. Drink 2030–2060+

95-97 points, Neal Martin, vinous.com
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
 
94-96 points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
The 2020 is a gorgeous wine from a very unusual year in which the Merlot is a bit more prominent in the blend than usual because of dehydration in the Cabernet. Even so, the 2020 is a wine of mid-weight finesse more than opulence. All the elements are impeccably balanced throughout. Drink 2030-2050


96-98 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, robertparker.com
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

Please let us know of your interest.
 
All the best,
 
Simon 

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