Chateau Cos d'Estournel is a top-rated winery located in Saint-Estephe, in the Bordeaux wine region of France. The winery dates back to the 18th century when it was founded by Louis Gaspard d'Estournel, a visionary and entrepreneur who had a passion for winemaking.
d'Estournel was ahead of his time in many ways, and his innovative approach to winemaking led to the creation of some of the finest wines in Bordeaux. He was one of the first in the region to use concrete vats instead of oak barrels for fermenting his wines, which allowed him to better control the temperature and produce more consistent wines. He also introduced a gravity-fed system to transport grapes and wine, which reduced the risk of oxidation and improved the quality of the wine.
Over the years, Chateau Cos d'Estournel has been owned by several different families, each leaving their mark on the winery. However, it wasn't until the 1960s when the Prats family took over that the winery truly came to international prominence.
Bruno Prats, who managed the estate from 1970 to 1998, is credited with transforming the winery into a major player in the Bordeaux wine market. Under his leadership, the winery introduced a second wine, Les Pagodes de Cos, which was made from the same grapes as the main wine but was aged for a shorter period and was more approachable in its youth. This move was groundbreaking at the time and allowed the winery to appeal to a wider range of customers.
Today, Chateau Cos d'Estournel is owned by Michel Reybier, a French entrepreneur who purchased the winery in 2000. Despite the change in ownership, the winery continues to produce exceptional wines that are highly sought after by collectors and wine enthusiasts around the world.
The Les Pagodes de Cos 2009 is a fine example of the winery's commitment to quality and innovation. This second wine is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot grapes and is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. The result is a complex and elegant wine that is approachable in its youth but also has the potential to age for many years.