Château Cos d'Estournel
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Château Cos d'Estournel, a 2e Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Estèphe, is renowned for its elegant red wines and whites. Founded by Louis-Gaspard d'Estournel, the estate is now owned by Michel Reybier and is committed to sustainable practices.
Identity
Château Cos d'Estournel is a winegrowing estate located in Saint-Estèphe, in the Gironde. It was classified as a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé in 1855.
History and philosophy
The estate was founded by Louis-Gaspard d’Estournel, known as the “Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe”. In 1852, Louis-Gaspard d’Estournel sold the château to Charles Cecil Martyns. Michel Reybier is the current owner, having acquired the property in 2000. The estate has implemented a gravity-flow cellar. Château Cos d'Estournel is committed to certified Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) practices, with organic certification currently underway.
Appellations
The estate's wines are produced under the Saint-Estèphe appellation. White wines are also produced under a Bordeaux appellation.
Winemaking and ageing
The estate uses a gravity-flow cellar for vinification. Angélique Meynieu is in charge of white winemaking, and Dominique Arangoïts is the technical director.
Practical information
Château Cos d'Estournel is situated on Route de Poumeys Lessac, 33180 Saint-Estèphe. For enquiries or visits, the estate can be contacted by telephone on +33 (0) 5 56 73 15 50 or by email at visite@estournel.com. Tours are available, including private visits entitled “Dans les pas du Maharadjah”, which include a tasting of several wines. The estate also offers lunch arrangements and on-site accommodation. Cellar-door sales are available.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
- What is the history of Château Cos d'Estournel and who is the current owner?
- Château Cos d'Estournel was founded by Louis-Gaspard d’Estournel, known as the “Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe”. In 1852, the property was sold to Charles Cecil Martyns. The current owner is Michel Reybier, who acquired the estate in 2000. Located in Saint-Estèphe, the estate has been recognised as a Deuxième Grand Cru Classé since 1855, reflecting its heritage and significance in Bordeaux viticulture.
- What are the environmental certifications and viticultural practices of Château Cos d'Estournel?
- Château Cos d'Estournel is certified Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE), with organic certification currently in progress. The estate carries out vine replacement using massal selection and harvests entirely by hand. It also operates a gravity-flow cellar for winemaking, demonstrating its commitment to environmentally responsible methods and wine quality.
- Which grape varieties are used in Château Cos d'Estournel wines, and what is the vineyard's surface area?
- The Château Cos d'Estournel vineyard covers a surface area of 100 hectares. The blend for the red wines is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. For the white wines, the varieties grown are Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, adding diversity to the estate's wine production.
- What are the different cuvées produced by Château Cos d'Estournel and their characteristics?
- Château Cos d'Estournel produces several flagship cuvées, notably Château Cos d’Estournel, Les Pagodes de Cos (second wine), and Cos d'Estournel Blanc. Other wines such as G d'Estournel and Goulée by Cos d’Estournel are also crafted. The red wines, dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, are renowned for their assertive structure, dark fruit notes, and spice aromas, while the white wines are distinguished by a fresh and complex aromatic profile.
The vineyard (terroir)
The vineyard covers a total surface area of 100 hectares. The red grape varieties comprise Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for around two-thirds of the vineyard, complemented by Merlot. The average age of the vines is 45 years, and 55 years for the Grand Vin. Vine renewal is conducted via massal selection. Harvesting is carried out by hand. For the white wines, the grape varieties planted are Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
Flagship cuvées
The estate's main cuvées include Château Cos d’Estournel, Les Pagodes de Cos (the second wine), and Cos d'Estournel Blanc. The estate also produces G d'Estournel and Goulée by Cos d’Estournel. The red wines generally showcase a firm structure with dark fruit and spice aromas, reflecting the dominance of Cabernet Sauvignon. The white wines, crafted from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, offer a fresh and complex aromatic profile.
- Appellation
- Saint-Estèphe
- Commune
- Saint-Estèphe
- Wine region
- Médoc
- Classification
- 2e Cru Classé 1855
- Owner
- Michel Reybier
- Technical direction
- Dominique Arangoïts
- Surface area
- 100 ha
- Second wine
- Les Pagodes de Cos
- Certifications
- HVE
- Grape varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Estate news
20 May 2017
Ces «Suisses» et leurs vignobles bordelais - thomasvino.ch
L'article explore la présence de propriétaires suisses ou résidant en Suisse, souvent d'origine française, à la tête de nombreux châteaux viticoles prestigieux dans le Bordelais. Il souligne l'attractivité de Bordeaux pour les investisseurs, d'abord les géants du luxe dans les années 1990, puis plus récemment les investisseurs chinois. Parmi les propriétaires mentionnés, Pierre Castel, dont la fille Romy réside à Genève, est associé au Château Mirefleurs et au Château Beychevelle. Bernard Arnault, patron de LVMH, est cité pour ses acquisitions du Château d'Yquem et copropriétaire du Château Cheval-Blanc. La famille Wertheimer de Chanel possède le Château Canon et Rauzan-Ségla. Silvio Denz, un Bâlois, est propriétaire du Château Faugères et de Lafaurie-Peyraguey. Karl Friederich Scheufele de Chopard détient le Château Monestier La Tour à Bergerac. Michel Reybier, établi à Genève, est le châtelain de Cos d'Estournel. Bruno Prats, ancien propriétaire de Cos d'Estournel, réside près de Morges. May-Eliane Miailhe, veuve du général de Lencquesaing, s'est installée à Vevey après avoir vendu le Château Pichon Comtesse-Lalande. Hervé Laviale et Griet van Malderen ont possédé les châteaux Franc-Mayne, Château de Lussac et Vieux-Maillet. Le prince Robert de Luxembourg, genevois d'adoption, préside les Domaines Clarence Dillon, incluant le Château Haut Brion. Caroline Frey gère le Château La Lagune. Enfin, la branche genevoise des Rothschild, avec le baron Benjamin (décédé en 2021), était à la tête des châteaux Clarke et des Laurets, regroupés sous Edmond de Rothschild Heritage avec d'autres domaines mondiaux. L'article, actualisé en mai 2017 et octobre 2022, est paru initialement en janvier 2016 dans une version du magazine L'Hebdo.
Read the source — thomasvino.chPractical information
- Address
- 33180 Saint-Estèphe, 33180
- visite@estournel.com
- Contact form
- Contact the estate
- Visits
- oui