Cos d'Estournel - Saint-Estèphe 2022

Alexandre Ma

96

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

When tasting Château Cos d’Estournel 2022, I found myself wondering whether the intense tannins were a result of the dry, hot weather or the 16% pressed wine. This vintage features a remarkable level of tannin, and it will likely take at least 10-15 years of aging to become more approachable. The aromas are beautifully mature, offering classic notes of star anise, cumin, and mocha powder, along with the sweet fragrance of blueberry cake. A refreshing touch of rosemary and pine resin is the finishing touch, balancing a wine with a total acidity of just 2.94. Based on its in-bottle tasting, I would recommend waiting at least 7-10 years before opening, and it should remain enjoyable for the next 20 years.

Wine Advocate

94

byWilliam Kelleythe3/7/2025

Much as it was en primeur, the 2022 Cos d'Estournel is an inky, brooding wine. Offering up aromas of ripe berries, licorice, pencil shavings, iris and creamy new oak, it's full-bodied, dense and heavily extracted, with a chunky, tannic profile that privileges raw power over sensuality.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

97

byJane Ansonthe3/7/2025

Intense, concentrated, spicy, cured leather, ink, saddle, creamy cassis and black cherry fruits, laced with bitter chocolate, concentrated incense and velvety tannins. Exceptional quality. Tasted twice, second time at the estate, 50% new oak, Dominique Arangoïts technical director, Eric Boissenot consultant.

The Wine Cellar Insider

99

byJeff Levethe3/4/2025

Cos d'Estournel, Château

Jeb DUNNUCK

100

byJeb Dunnuckthe2/28/2025

Looking at the 2022 Château Cos D'Estournel, this awesome Saint-Estèphe checks in as a normal blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that spent 18 months in 50% new oak. Remarkably concentrated yet with a graceful elegance, it has sensational cassis, graphite, spring flowers, and subtle tobacco-driven aromatics, full-bodied richness, a deeply layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel, and a monumental finish. Hitting 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.79, it's as good a Cos d'Estournel as has ever been made. It actually has ample upfront appeal yet won't hit the early stages of its prime drinking window for another decade, and it will have 50-75 years of overall longevity.

Yvesbeck.wine

98

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot Que de profondeur, de grandeur, de largeur, de pluralité dans le bouquet de Cos d'Estournel avec des notes épicées, florales, chocolatées et fruitées. En bouche, le vin ne cherche pas l'extravagance ou l'exubérance, il se concentre sur l'efficacité, sur la pertinence, la profondeur et une redoutable aptitude à concilier puissance et fraîcheur. Les tannins aux grains fins assurent une belle puissance, tandis que la structure acide se charge de plébisciter le tempérament et la persistance de la finale. Un vin musclé, démonstratif et performant ! 2029-2054 98/100

Vinous

95

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Cos d'Estournel is one of the most reticent wines on the nose at the moment (bottled in July, it is most likely due to the timing). But the quality is still evident, with a beguiling mixture of red and black fruit, truffle and violet aromas mingling in the glass. There is a sense of finesse here that was forsaken for a period 15 to 25 years ago when this estate coveted power. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins that frame the pretty black fruit, desiccated orange peel and graphite notes. I admire that it could only be a Saint-Estèphe with a relatively austere finish that suggests it will repay considerable cellaring. This is for the most patient amongst you.

Jamessuckling.com

99

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2025

Wow. So intense and spicy with nutmeg, cloves, ink and blackberries. Also asphalt, lead pencil and tobacco. Full-bodied, but at the same time, there’s a real balance giving incredible depth and length. The tannins are all there but are polished as well as firm. Superb structure. A neoclassical Cos, one for long-term aging. Perhaps the best ever. A blend of 61% cabernet sauvignon, 37% merlot, 1% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Drink after 2030.

Vinous

97

byAntonio Gallonithe1/28/2025

The 2022 Cos d'Estournel is a huge wine that is going to need a number of years to be at its finest. Dense, rich and explosive, the 2022 represents the essence of opulence. Sumptuous curves wrap around a core of blackberry, cloves, new leather, licorice and espresso that screams out of the glass. The 2022 is a wild, exotic beauty. All it needs is time. Tasted twice.

Wine Spectator

97

byJames Molesworththe1/22/2025

This is deep, dark and a bit brooding in feel, with layers of warm and well-steeped dark currant, blackberry and fig fruit. Married to a structure that's plush and nicely inlaid, while sweet tobacco, bay, tar and chestnut notes add impressive range. The long finish pulls in a warm paving stone detail to seal the deal. Impressive indeed. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2028 through 2045. 12,000 cases made, 3,500 cases imported.

Vinous

96

byNeal Martinthe6/30/2023

The 2022 Cos d'Estournel was picked from 7 to 23 September at 33hL/ha and is aged in 50% new oak (one cannot imagine that being countenanced 15-20 years ago). It has an overtly floral nose with wilted violets infusing the precocious yet controlled black fruit. There's fine delineation, impressive focus and energy. The palate is smooth and silky on the entry with pliant, sculpted tannins. The acidity is well judged (3.79pH) with white pepper and a graphite element toward the persistent finish. Quintessential Cos d'Estournel, this wine will mature for many years, although the jury's out on whether it will surpass triumphs like the 2016 or 2019/20.

Wine Maniacs

96-98

byLin Liuthe5/30/2023

Decanter.com

97

byGeorgina Hindlethe5/25/2023

Fresh and vibrant blackcurrant aromas with milk chocolate, vanilla and floral scents - so aromatic and expressive. Juicy and alive, bright and vibrant on the palate with soft herbal scents surrounding the fruit. The flavours - blackcurrant, black cherry, damson and orange rind - settle vertically but the firm and textured tannins give the focus, structure and tension. It has liquorice and flint edges all the way giving a savoury touch and clear minerality as well as dark chocolate and clove spice. Refined and serious but also there’s such a delicious juicy undercurrent giving life and energy. Confident winemaking on show, this is a real success in delivering a complete and powerful wine with depth but no heaviness. Totally delicious and moreish. A wine you're going to finish! Potential upscore in bottle. Two-third grand vin production. 2.94 total acidity. 3.79pH. 90 IPT. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Alexandre Ma

95-97

byAlexandre Mathe5/17/2023

When tasting Château Cos d'Estournel 2022, I couldn't help but wonder whether it was the dry and hot weather that affected it or the result of 16% of press wine, as I felt unprecedented strong tannins in that vintage. It may require at least 10-15 years of aging to gradually unfold. The aroma is incredibly mature, not only carrying the common notes of star anise, cumin, and mocha powder but also the sweet scent of blueberry cream cake. The freshness reminiscent of rosemary and pine resin is the finishing touch to this wine, making it balanced despite its total acidity of only 2.94. I am eagerly looking forwards to its performance after bottling.

Vinous

95-97

byNeal Martinthe5/17/2023

The 2022 Cos d'Estournel was picked from 7 to 23 September at 33hL/ha and is aged in 50% new oak (one cannot imagine that being countenanced 15-20 years ago). It has an overtly floral nose with wilted violets infusing the precocious yet controlled black fruit. There's fine delineation, impressive focus and energy. The palate is smooth and silky on the entry with pliant, sculpted tannins. The acidity is well judged (3.79pH) with white pepper and a graphite element toward the persistent finish. Quintessential Cos d'Estournel, this wine will mature for many years, although the jury's out on whether it will surpass triumphs like the 2016 or 2019/20.

The Vintage Journal

98-99

byAndrew Caillard MWthe5/17/2023

Deep crimson almost black. Pure blackcurrant, dark cherry pastille, panforte marzipan aromas. Beautifully concentrated wine with smoky sweet dark berry pastille fruits, superb grainy tannins and underlying marzioan, vanilla notes. Cedar firm finish with lovely mineral length. 61% Cabernet Sauvignon 37% Merlot 1% Cabernet Franc 1% Petit Verdot 14.04%

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

95

byJane Ansonthe5/16/2023

Grippy acidity keeps up momentum and contrasts beautifully with the ripe fleshy stone fruit through the mid palate. Waves of white pear, citrus, peach, nectarine pit, great quality here, Great stuff, more closed right now that Pagodes as you would expect, but this is steely, flinty and moreish.

matthewjukes.com

19

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

The Wine Independent

97-99

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/15/2023

The 2022 Cos d'Estournel, composed of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs quite a lot of shaking and swirling to unlock fragrant notes of warm cassis, redcurrant jelly, and black raspberries, leading to hints of rose oil, Indian spices, cedar chest, and sandalwood, plus a touch of crushed rocks. The medium to full-bodied palate is very classic, with a solid backbone of firm, ripe tannins and impressive tension to support the taut, muscular black and red fruit layers, finishing very long and with remarkable purity. pH 3.79, TPI 90.

Yvesbeck.wine

98-100

byYves Beckthe5/10/2023

Alors que Pagodes affichaient de la sérénité en bouche, Cos l'affiche d'entrée, dès les premières secondes. Il est d'une exceptionnelle densité et précision. Les notes de baies rouges, de sureau et de menthe poivrée sont complétées par quelques nuances de graphite. Le vin se révèle avec subtilité et finesse. Il annonce une évidente puissance tannique qui prend forme dès le milieu de bouche au travers de tannins qui se profilent précisément mais avec une certaine austérité. Celle-ci est néanmoins canalisée par le tempérament de la structure acide qui prend même le dessus et plébiscite la fin de bouche au travers de sa vivacité, de son énergie. Ceci a pour effet d'étirer la finale et de souligner non seulement la fraîcheur mais également le fruit. Un très grand Cos, une fois de plus qui prend lentement place, avec une évidente assurance !

Bettane & Desseauve

97

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

Immense couleur, grand corps, grande harmonie, grand avenir. Exactement ce qu’on peut attendre de ce cru superbe et dans une forme étincelante.

Jeb DUNNUCK

98-100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/10/2023

One of the finest wines to ever pass my lips, the 2022 Château Cos D'Estournel is a monument in the making. Based on 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this saturated ruby/purple-hued Saint-Estèphe offers a full-bodied, massive, opulent style as well as perfumed red, blue, and black fruits, ample spice, chocolate, graphite, and lead pencil-like aromatics, a stacked mid-palate, flawless balance, and a monster of a finish. An improved version of the 2009 (if that's possible), this is a legendary wine in the making. Hats off to Michel Reybier and technical director Dominique Arangoïts.

Vinous

95-97

byAntonio Gallonithe5/9/2023

The 2022 Cos d’Estournel is stunning. Rich and statuesque in bearing, the 2022 captures all the best this vintage had to offer. A wine of precision and power, the 2022 balances the intensity of the year but without veering into the realm of the exotic, as was the case in vintages such as 2005 and 2009. It marries ripeness and classical rigor in a style that is quite appealing. I imagine the 2022 will need a good 15-20 years to be at its finest. Harvest took place between September 7 and 23, exceptionally early. Drinking window : 2028-2052

The Wine Cellar Insider

98-100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2023

Opaque in color, the wine pops from the glass with black fruits, cloves, cinnamon, blackberries, blueberries, purple flowers, almonds, and smoke. The wine coats, bathes, and covers your palate with seemingly endless layers of opulent, black fruits. The cashmere tannins create the impression of velvet as the wine lingers for 60 seconds or more with its waves of black, blue. and red fruits, dark cocoa, licorice, and Asian spice. There is a seamlessness to the finish, as well as lift, and purity. This is a very hedonistic, yet elegant wine. 2022 clearly competes with the best of vintages of Cos ever produced. The wine was made from blending 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. 14.04% ABV, 3.79 pH. The yields were 33 hectoliters per hectare. The harvest took place September 7 to September 23. The Grand Vin was produced from 66% of the harvest. The wine is going to approachable early in its life, yet it has the ability to age for decades. Drink from 2028-2060.

Wine Advocate

93-95

byWilliam Kelleythe5/2/2023

The 2022 Cos d'Estournel unwinds in the glass with aromas of sweet berries, plum liqueur and rich spices, followed by a full-bodied, broad-shouldered and muscular palate that's rich and structured, with a ripe core of fruit and chewy tannins. Harvest dates were relatively early this year, and maturation is occurring in only 50% new oak; yet the 2022's chunky, glass-staining style makes it Ducru Beaucaillou's only rival for the title of most extracted second growth of the Médoc.

Jamessuckling.com

98-99

byJames Sucklingthe4/19/2023

Unique structure to this wine and very Cos with all the spices and dark fruits. Tobacco and cedar. It's starts off full-bodied and flavorful, but continues to unfold in an energetic and weightless way. Savory and primary. Al dente grapes here. Exciting and thought-provoking.