About Château Cos d'Estournel
Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel inherited the land in 1811 and spent his life building the estate, selling much of its wine to India and returning with the taste for eastern architecture that produced the pagodas and carved doors on the château. He never lived in it, and it has no bedrooms. The vineyard sits on the highest gravel in Saint-Estèphe, separated from Château Lafite in Pauillac by a small stream, and the clay underneath supports more Merlot than is usual this far north, typically around forty percent of the blend. Michel Reybier bought the estate in 2000 and added an underground gravity-fed cellar. Les Pagodes de Cos is the second wine, and a small amount of white is made as Cos d'Estournel Blanc.
Saint-Estèphe is the coolest and firmest of the great Médoc communes. Our Bordeaux Wines and Pauillac Wines pages cover the neighboring châteaux, and Cabernet Sauvignon follows the grape further afield.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Cos d'Estournel look like an Indian palace?
Because its founder built much of his trade selling Bordeaux to India, and brought the style home with him. The pagodas, elephant carvings and ornate wooden doors date from the 1830s, and the building is a cellar rather than a residence.
What is Les Pagodes de Cos?
The second wine, made from younger vines and lots not chosen for the grand vin. It drinks earlier and costs a fraction of the main label.
Is Cos d'Estournel a first growth?
No, it is a second growth under the 1855 classification, and the leading estate of Saint-Estèphe. In strong vintages it is regularly rated alongside the first growths and priced well below them, which is much of its appeal.
How long does Cos d'Estournel age?
Good vintages want twelve to fifteen years and hold for thirty or more. The Merlot in the blend softens the Saint-Estèphe firmness, so the wine is less austere young than the commune's reputation suggests.