Château Cos d'Estournel 2001 (magnum, 1.5 l)

Château Cos d’Estournel 2001 — Saint-Estèphe

This Château Cos d’Estournel 2001, offered here in magnum 1.5 L, embodies one of the noblest, most complex and most distinctive expressions of Saint-Estèphe. A Second Growth with an immediately recognisable style, Cos d’Estournel combines Médoc power, the elegance of great gravel terroirs and a highly characteristic spicy dimension: cassis, blackberry, black plum, black cherry, cedar, graphite, blond tobacco, fine leather, cocoa, liquorice, oriental spices, noble earth and a long mineral finish.

Château Cos d’Estournel is one of the great historic names of the Médoc, renowned for wines that are deep, structured, aromatically complex and capable of ageing for several decades. The 2001 vintage, often appreciated for its classicism, freshness and balance, gives here a Saint-Estèphe now in a beautiful phase of maturity. The magnum format further enhances slow evolution, preserved freshness and the collector dimension of this bottle.

Terroir: Saint-Estèphe, deep gravel and controlled power

The vineyard of Cos d’Estournel is located in Saint-Estèphe, in the northern Médoc, on deep gravel rises resting on clay subsoils. This combination gives wines that are powerful, structured and capable of preserving remarkable freshness. The gravel favours drainage and Cabernet Sauvignon ripeness, while the clay brings density, depth and texture.

The style of Cos d’Estournel combines the classical firmness of Saint-Estèphe with a more exotic and spicy aromatic dimension. Cabernet Sauvignon brings cassis, graphite, cedar, tension and structure; Merlot contributes roundness, flesh and fruit depth. In the 2001, the terroir is now expressed through softened substance, still-clear freshness and elegant tertiary complexity.

Tasting notes

Appearance: deep garnet evolving towards mahogany and brick-toned reflections depending on storage, still dense and bright. In magnum, evolution is generally slower, allowing the wine to retain brilliance, depth and visual presence for longer.

Nose: deep, complex and harmoniously evolved, with cassis, blackberry, black plum, black cherry, melted black fruits, cedar, graphite, blond tobacco, fine leather, cocoa and liquorice. With aeration, nuances of precious woods, oriental spices, sweet pepper, mocha, forest floor, noble earth, light truffle, black mint and incense may appear.

Palate: broad, dense, velvety and still structured, with black fruit now melted into noble evolutionary notes. Flavours of cassis, blackberry, plum, cedar, graphite, tobacco, cocoa, fine leather, liquorice and spices unfold with depth, supported by polished tannins and preserved freshness. The finish is long, mineral, spicy and persistent, with an impression of noble maturity, calmed power and great Médoc classicism.

Expression of the 2001 vintage

The 2001 vintage in Bordeaux produced classical, balanced and elegant wines, often marked by appealing freshness and harmonious evolution. In Saint-Estèphe, this year gave structured, precise wines capable of developing complex tertiary notes over time. At Cos d’Estournel, the 2001 stands out for its balance, spicy elegance and fine persistence.

Today, this Château Cos d’Estournel 2001 in magnum is in a very interesting phase of maturity. Measured aeration is recommended in order to preserve the wine’s aromatic delicacy and softened structure. With time in the glass, it may reveal more cedar, tobacco, fine leather, truffle, forest floor, graphite, sweet spices, incense and mineral nuances around a core of black fruit that remains present.