CHÂTEAU COS D'ESTOURNEL

The 2025 Cos d'Estournel was picked between September 3 and 19 and matured in 50% new oak, the analytic alcohol at 13.25%. There is just a touch of CO2 on the nose that soon dissipates, gorgeous black plum and damson aromas, pencil lead and light iodine scents all delivered with impressive delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a hint of cracked black pepper and pencil lead that infuse the layered black fruit. There is a real crescendo of flavours in this Cos d'Estournel, fanning out gloriously towards the sustained finish. This is a serious Saint-Estèphe that will age supremely well in bottle.
“Dry and hot conditions arrived in early April,” winemaker Dominique Arangoïts told me, “which meant that vines could adapt to the situation and preserve water by making smaller leaves and berries. We had some rain in the quantity and at the time that we needed. The first was between April 19 and 21, when there was 115 mm of rain. Flowering took place in incredible conditions, while warm temperatures in June accelerated precocity. There was 25 mm of rain on July 21 at the beginning of véraison so we could avoid blockage. It was dry until the end of August, and there was rain between August 28 and 31. After that, we did not have hot temperatures. We commenced picking on September 3, the earliest since 1982. This vintage combines a dry year and ripe tannins with cooler-toned elements such as lower alcohol—the Cos d’Estournel is 13.25% with a pH around 3.68. We cropped at 29 hl/ha, the same as in 2024 but for different reasons.” Drinking range: 2032 - 2060 Rating: 95-97 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2026)

A density to this, yet it remains balanced and complex, with well-integrated tannins and a juicy finish. It seems to be a wine with lots of fruit, but then it diffuses and shows open-grained, velvety tannins. Intense yet subtle blackberries, lead pencil and hazelnuts. Some flint. Persistent and reserved at the end. Great potential. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 39% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Rating: 98-99 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2026)

Incense and sandalwood aromatics, combines the density and concentration of a hot vintage with the freshness and balanced alcohols of a cooler vintage, meaning both weight and lightness of touch (this is something you will hear a lot with the 2025 vintage but rarely find in reality). A real breadth and wide spectrum of possibilities are contained here, a little austere right now but these dark berry fruits and firm tannins are waiting to bloom with ageing. 3.68pH. 50% new oak. Harvest was September 3, earliest since the Reybier era (they began September 7 on 2022, and also in 1989) through to September 19. Last year in organic conversion. Drinking range: 2036 - 2055 Rating: 97 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (Apr 2026)