Les Pagodes de Cos, St Estèphe,

Situated at the south of St Estephe, the vineyards boarder those of Chateau Lafite in Pauillac. The terroir is excellent and there has always been the potential to produce exceptional wines; this is recognised by its 2nd growth classification in 1855. The chateau’s unique pagodas are a legacy of Gaspard Lacoste de Maniban, Marquis d’Estournel, the “Maharajah of Saint Estèphe”, who bought the land in 1791 and spent his life travelling and promoting his wine. In 2000 Michel Reybier purchased Cos and construction of a vat room entirely based on the laws of gravity (the first of its type in Bordeaux). The winemaking process, from harvest reception to bottling, takes place without pumping. Grape berries, their juices and the resulting wines are handled as gently as possible.

Following the departure of Jean-Guillaume Prats, Aymeric de Gironde, formally of Pichon Longueville was appointed as General Manager. He instigated a change in philosophy, with the emphasis on producing wines with freshness, elegance and precision. He too has moved on to pastures new, but Michel Reybier and his Technical Director, Dominique Arangoits have continued to refine and some would say perfect this style. Cos d’Estournel is enjoying a resurgence and possibly the greatest period in its long and distinguished history.