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1996 Cos d'Estournel

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Latest Sale Price

June 9, 2024 - $205

Estimate

RATINGS

94Stephen Tanzer

..Ineffable aromas of black fruits, minerals, licorice and Havana tobacco. Rich, dense and thick; powerful but harmonious. Layered texture over a strong backbone. Very long on the palate, with thoroughly ripe,noble cabernet tannins. Superb.

93Robert M. Parker Jr.

...pure aromatics consisting of cassis, grilled herbs, coffee, and toasty new oak. Massive in the mouth, and one of the most structured and concentrated young Cos d'Estournels I have ever tasted...

90Wine Spectator

Lots of tobacco, berry and spice character on the nose. Light herbal undertone. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a caressing, pretty-textured finish. Chewy. I would wait a little...

17.5Jancis Robinson

Healthy ruby. Some development on the nose with some exotic herbal notes. Sweet start and very dense. Very fine tannins. A bit more angular than some. Still admirably youthful.

PRODUCER

Cos d'Estournel

Chateau Cos d’Estournel is a Second Growth Bordeaux according to the Bordeaux classification of 1855. Located in St.-Estephe, the chateau includes 160 acres of vineyards planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. The average age of the vines is 35 years. Founded in the 18th century by Louis Gaspard d’Estournel, the chateau’s wines were so admired in the 19th century that they were in demand all over the world. The chateau was bought and sold many times during the late 19th and 20th centuries, and in 2000 it was acquired by Michel Reybier, under whose direction the chateau has continued its climb to excellence. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that Cos d’Estournel “has been particularly successful in difficult vintages” and “remains impeccably managed.” Some 200,000 bottles of the signature Cos d’Estournel are produced each year.

REGION

France, Bordeaux, St.-Estephe

Saint-Estèphe is in the northern Médoc, on the left bank of the Gironde River. Although it has no First Growth estates, its five Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Growth châteaux are notable, and, in recent decades, have become favorites with reviewers and consumers. Some reviewers also note that the appellation is today making excellent Cru Bourgeois wines, which frequently offer good value. There are 3,404 acres of vineyards and a variety of soil types, from gravelly soil to soil with significant sand or clay. The two Second Growth Châteaux in St.-Estephe are Cos d’Estournel and Montrose. The Third Growth Calon-Ségur is widely admired. The principal grapes grown are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.