Alcohol: 14.5%
Grape(s): 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc
Location: Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France
Tasting Notes: Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts from the glass with bold notions of Morello cherries, blackcurrant pastilles, plum preserves and spice cake with suggestions of pencil shavings and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with spicy black fruits, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing on a lingering savory note.
Notes: Aging in 20% new barriques
Food pairing:
Red meats like ribeye, strip steak, grilled lamb chops, roast beef, and game pair beautifully with the wine because their richness softens its firm tannins and highlights the concentrated blackberry, cassis, and licorice notes. Slow‑cooked dishes such as boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, braised short ribs, and lamb shank work just as well, matching the wine’s depth and spice; producer notes even emphasize how well it complements grilled meats or sauced dishes like these. Rich poultry—duck breast with a cherry or plum reduction, roast duck confit, or turkey with mushroom gravy—plays nicely with the wine’s silky texture and warm spice. Earthy, savory plates such as mushroom ragout, truffle risotto, or lentils with herbs and smoked bacon echo its subtle earthy undertones and create a harmonious pairing.
Winery Story: Chateau Cos d'Estournel is a Grand Cru vineyard located in St. Estephe. 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.
