Region | |
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Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Bordeaux (White) |
Colour | White |
Type | Still |
Less than 1000 cases are produced annually of Cos d'Estournel's white wine which is made from grapes grown in the Goulée vineyard in the Northern Medoc. The vineyard is planted with 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. First produced in 2005 and now there is also a second wine - Pagodes de Cos Blanc. The 2018 was made from 67% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon and was aged in oak for 5 months with 10% new barrels.
Green papaya, pomelo, cream, flint and hints of wax on the nose. It’s full-bodied with bright acidity and a creamy texture. Concentrated and refined with seamless layers, leading to a long, mineral finish. The phenols with fruit and acidity are a formidable combination. Keeps going. Try from 2022.
The 2018 Blanc is composed of 67% Sauvignon Blanc and 33% Sémillon and was matured in 7% new barriques (13.88% alcohol). It opens very slowly, with a lot of coaxing, to reveal fragrant scents of lime blossoms, yellow apples and fresh grapefruit plus hints of crushed rocks, straw and sea spray. The medium-bodied palate has a beautiful satiny texture and fantastically intense citrus and apple layers with loads of mineral and herbal sparks on the long finish. Give it a good couple of years in bottle to open up, and drink it over the following 10 to 12 years or more. 2023 - 2035
67% Sauvigon Blanc, 33% Sémillon. Barrel sample.
More subdued on the nose than the white Pagodes but a little more complex: touch of creamy oak and spice and fresh grapefruit but also a richer note from the Sémillon. On the palate, tense and fresh, moderate intensity with clean-cut citrus and a dry, lightly grippy texture. Long and serious, direct, freshness over concentration. (JH)
Drink 2021-2024
Peachy on the nose, with hints of lemon curd and toasted spices. The palate is round and lightly oily, with ripe citrus and stone fruits at the core. Well balanced with a savoury edge of spice, this is long, ripe and polished.
The 2018 Cos D'Estournel Blanc includes slightly more Sémillon and is 67% Sauvignon and 33% Sémillon brought up all in barrel, with just 7% being new. Richer notes of crushed citrus, tart peach, white flowers, and salty minerality all emerge from this beauty. It's medium to full-bodied, clean, nicely concentrated, and has a great finish. It's one of the richer whites in the vintage, yet it stays vibrant and racy, with beautiful acidity. Bravo.
(67 Sauvignon Blanc, 33 Semillon) | 7% new oak | 13.8% alc | 31 hl/ha Lovely and balanced and more density and depth than I expected. There is a lot of gras here and it will repay those who are patient, and there is a serious weight of fruit and it is not going to run out of energy for a while. The Semillon percentage means that there is a lot of power and nuttiness and nougat in the core of this wine.
This is very powerful and tangy with driven acidity and freshness. Full-bodied yet layered and bright. Tight center palate. One of my favorite whites of the vintage.
A blend of 67% Sauvignon Blanc and 33% Sémillon aging in 7% new barriques (13.88% alcohol), the Cos d'Estournel 2018 Blanc is a little closed to begin, opening out to energetic white peach, pink grapefruit and green guava notes plus touches of honeyed toast, orange blossom and coriander seed. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with exotic fruit and stone fruit layers, marked by a seriously refreshing line and finishes long and honey laced.