The origin of the name Cos, meaning ‘hill of pebbles’ in old Gascon, perfectly reflects the location. Cos has slopes that are as well-drained as neighbouring Lafite’s across the valley.

Today, the 100ha of Cos d’Estournel are made up of a mosaic of plots bordering the Gironde estuary. With an average age of 45 years for the vines, some are as old as 80 to over 100 years. The Grand Vin de Cos d’Estournel is made with grapes from vines that are 55 years old on average.

The various soil-studies that have been completed, with 20 different types of soils found, have led to increasing plot-by-plot vineyard work, with intra-plot harvesting and a greater focus on Cabernet Sauvignon as a result. This grape forms at least three-quarters of the main blend; in the vineyard it’s at 65%, with 30% Merlot, 2,5% Cabernet Franc and 2,5% Petit Verdot.

At Cos d’Estournel, protecting the precious terroir and environment is paramount, and this is achieved using the best tools and the most appropriate know-how, with a focus on preventative rather than a curative approach.

The AOC of Saint-Estèphe is the most northerly, and most remote, of the four main communes of the Médoc, comprising 7.5% of the Médoc vineyard. Located on the edge of the Gironde estuary, not far from the Atlantic Ocean, Saint-Estèphe experiences a pronounced maritime climate, which helps to moderate the weather excesses in both winter and summer.