Lisa Wine Wednesdays!
I have really embraced the world of Bordeaux wine, still a newbie with these French wines, but my palate is ever expanding with the 6,000 wineries in this region. I was able to find very a reputable Left Bank Bordeaux. Remember that a Left Bank Bordeaux has a higher ratio of Cabernet Sauvignon than Merlot, as opposed to the Right Bank Bordeaux wines. Most Bordeaux wines are comprised of 3 to 4 varietals of grape, typically Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and one or two of the other 4 legally allowed varietals (grapes) in a Bordeaux wine according to French Law (Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, or Carménère). I was able to find the same Bordeaux, from the same producer and land, and from 2 different vintages, in this case 2016 and 2017. This is referred to as a vertical wine tasting. (A horizontal wine tasting is typically the same varietal, same vintage (year), and same region, but made in a different style of wine making, or winery).
Chateau Cos d'Estournel
Chateau Cos d'Estournel
Chateau Cos d'Estournel is a Grand Cru vineyard located in St. Estephe (see map below). Its oriental facade is adorned with three pagoda turrets, all cast in a soft golden sandstone. Chateau Cos d'Estournel today covers 170 acres separated from Chateau Lafite, along the southern edge, by the stream between St. Estephe and Pauillac.
The gravelly soil, over a flint, limestone and silicate subsoil, low in nitrogen, has eroded over centuries to form steep ridges which perfectly drain the vineyards. The vineyards are planted 60 percent in Cabernet Sauvignon vines, 2 percent of Cabernet Franc, and 38 percent in Merlot. Naturally, the percentage of Cabernet or Merlot in the composition of each vintage depends on the climate which favors one grape variety or the other. The Left Bank favors the growth of Cabernet Sauvignon and the Right Bank had more ideal conditions for the growth of Merlot.
"The estate has changed hands several times during its history, starting in 1852 when it was purchased by the English banker Charles Cecil Martyns. In 1869, it was sold to the Spanish Errazu family only to be sold again 20 years later in 1889 to the Bordeaux-based Hostein family. Through his marriage to Marie-Thérèse Hostein, Louis-Victor Charmolue, who also owned Château Montrose, gained control of Cos d'Estournel in 1894. In 1917, it was sold to Fernand Ginestet. The château has remained in the Ginestet family since then, becoming in 1970 part of Domaines Prats, the combined holdings of the Ginestet and Prats families, and controlled by Bruno Prats." (history source from Wikipedia).
The barrel cellar at Chateau Cos d'Estournel, with its glass and stone footbridge, provides a fantastic vantage point for the fifteen hundred perfectly aligned wooden barrels.
Chateau Cos d'Estournel Pagodes de Cos 2017 (USD $63-)
Wine Enthusiast gave this a 93-point rating
Blend: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Hints of ripe dark berries and spice. It is full-bodied, balanced and creamy with a beautiful structure.
Chateau Cos d'Estournel Pagodes de Cos 2016 (USD $65-)
Wine Enthusiast gave this a 94-point rating
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46.5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 0.5% Cabernet Franc.
Hints of blackberry fruits, generous tannins, and hints of flowers, this vintage is medium to full-bodied, well-rounded, and beautifully textured.
Well, I certainly enjoyed these wines with the help of my best friend Adrienne. Snacks, laughs, and research! Cheers to many more years of friendship and wine exploration!
Saluti!
Xoxo -Lisa