Château Cos d'Estournel 1999

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of Château Cos d'Estournel 1999

Tasting Notes

Appearance
The colour reveals a deep ruby hue, both dark and brilliant.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet proves complex and refined, blending black fruit aromas such as blackcurrant and cherry with notes of dried Provençal herbs. With aeration, subtle hints of tobacco, coffee, liquorice and graphite emerge, underscored by a lovely minerality and delicate floral nuances.

Palate
On the palate, this red wine offers a medium to full body, combining density with elegance. The texture is smooth and silky, supported by fine yet firm tannins. The finish, fruity and beautifully long, lingers on persistent mineral notes.

Food and Wine Pairings

This grand cru pairs wonderfully with roasted or braised red meats, such as a herb-crusted rack of lamb, a fine cut of aged beef, or a venison fillet. It will also perfectly accompany traditional slow-cooked dishes or aged hard cheeses such as an old Comté or Beaufort.

The Elegance and Minerality of a Great Wine from Saint-Estèphe

The Estate

The land history of Château Cos d'Estournel begins in 1791, when Louis Gaspard d'Estournel inherited the land, though the wine itself truly came into being in 1811. Located in the Bordeaux region, this Second Grand Cru Classé is distinguished by its unique orientalist architecture, inspired by its founder's commercial success in India. Now run by Michel Reybier, owner since 2000, the estate combines deep respect for tradition with contemporary precision, reflected in strong environmental commitments and a constant pursuit of excellence.

The Vineyard

Ideally located on the border of Pauillac, to the south of the Saint-Estèphe appellation, the vineyard spans around a hundred hectares. It rests on the famous Cos hillside, a mosaic of 19 different soils composed of Günzian gravel mounds atop a clay-limestone base. The vines used for the grand vin, averaging 55 years of age, are cultivated through meticulous and demanding plot-by-plot viticulture.

The Vintage

A pivotal year for the estate, 1999 marks the end of an era before major technical modernisations. The climatic conditions allowed for a classic and balanced ripeness, giving rise to a wine that is intellectual, refined and restrained, favouring finesse over ostentatious power.

Winemaking and Ageing

Crafted before the construction of the current gravity-flow cellar, this vintage was made using traditional methods typical of the late 20th century. The process relies on an extremely rigorous selection of plots, with only vines over twenty years old retained to compose this grand vin, followed by careful ageing in barrels.

Grape Varieties

65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot.