| NAME |
COS D'ESTOURNEL (Château) |
|
| |
| PROPRIETOR |
Domaines Reybier (Jean-Guillaume PRATS - Director) |
| |
| APPELLATION |
St-Estèphe, 2nd Grand Cru Classé |
| |
| VINEYARD |
67 hectares (173 acres) split into about 30 parcels of land. The vineyard is an impressive accumulation of Quaternary gravel wrested from the distant mountains of the Massif Central and the Pyrenees and laid on Saint-Estèphe's limestone bed when the primeval river receded.
In the old Gascon language, "Cos" means "The Hill of Pebbles". |
| VARIETALS |
60% Cabernet Sauvignon (ess. on south slopes)
40% Merlot (ess. on eastern slopes and limestone soils)
Average age: 35 years |
| |
|
| PRODUCTION |
estimated: 15 000 cs Grand Vin (can vary from vintage)
2nd wine: Les Pagodes de Cos (15 000 - 20 000 cs)
There is also a third wine. |
| |
|
| STYLE |
Eternally etched in stone, symbols and mottos adorn the estate: a Lion (symbol of Power) and a Unicorn (the symbol of Purity) are followed by the motto SEMPER FIDELIS: "Always Faithful".
As such, Jean-Guillaume PRATS, great-grandson of Fernand GINESTET (owner into the mid 20th century) and son of Bruno PRATS (co-owner and director until 1998), not only maintains the traditions of Cos but arguably pushes them even further with undevouted attention and justifiable obsession. |
| |
|
| MARKET NOTE |
Cos ! Magic as one drives north, from Lafite, to discover the estate's unique architectural style with its towering Pagodas (and more !).
Cos is ranked amongst the "Super Seconds" and occasionally referred to as an un-official 1er Cru Classé.
Beyond these considerations, Cos rarely falters (arguably 1998 and 1999) but has more than rebounded since (see 2001 and notably a 2002 which, besides the 1st Growths, was THE commercial success of the vintage).
As a great chef d'orchestre, Jean-Guillaume engages his audience to match his precision and determination. For this, it is a great pleasure to work with such a fine professional. |
|
High Resolution
|