Vintus

Between Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe, separated from Château Lafite by the stream known as La Jalle du Breuil (The Breuil Brook), the hill of Cos dominates the Gironde from the height of almost 65 feet. Bordered westward by the Atlantic ocean and eastward by the Gironde, the vineyard of Cos d'Estournel benefits from a micro-climate. That acts like a temperature regulator, thus avoiding extreme temperatures.

The vineyard of Cos spreads around the château on 173 acres and is divided among 30 parcels. The Cabernet Sauvignon vines (60% of the vineyard) find the soil of their choice in the thin layers of gravel situated on the top and on the southern slopes of the hill. On the other hand, the Merlot vines (40% of the vineyard) excel on the eastern slopes and on the slopes where the Saint-Estephe limestone bed shows on the surface. Plantation is extremely dense (8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare) and the average age of the vineyard is high (35 years old). The result is a preponderance of vines with very deep root systems and low yields, creating the "Grand Goût".

Only the wines made from vines over twenty years of age will bear the name of Château Cos d'Estournel. The percentage of Cabernet and Merlot varies from one vintage to another according to which grape is favored by weather conditions.