At a glance

Producer

Château Cos d'Estournel

Region

Saint-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Red Bordeaux Blend (predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc)

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$600-$1200 (depending on provenance and condition)

Tasting profile

Complex aromas of cigar box, black truffle, dried cassis, tobacco, leather, cedar, stewed plum, graphite. Palate is silky, with sweet fruit core, seasoned wood, earth, and tertiary umami depth.

Evolution: Primary fruit replaced by savory tertiary notes (dried fruit, mushroom, mineral, game). Texture has softened; structure persists, offering elegance over power.

At peak: At its mature apogee: more about subtlety and nuance than intensity. The best bottles deliver profound, layered bouquet and palate intricacy.

Structure

Acidity

Moderate, sufficient to balance the ripe Bordeaux fruit.

Tannins

Mature, integrated but substantial tannins; plush and resolved.

Alcohol

13.0%-13.5% ABV (typical for the vintage)

Aging potential

Exceptional for its time; top examples can remain compelling into their mid-to-late 40s, especially from pristine cellars.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2000 to 2031

Optimal window

1992 to 2034

Current status

Drinking at or slightly past its mature peak; the best bottles offering profound complexity, with some risk of decline depending on storage.

Current condition

The 1982 Cos d'Estournel is a legendary vintage noted for richness, depth, and exceptional longevity. Well-stored bottles in top condition still deliver powerful tertiary flavors. Some bottles may now start to show softness or fade, but the wine retains age-worthy structure.

The 1982 Cos d'Estournel is from a legendary Bordeaux vintage known for opulence and aging power. Well-kept examples typically peak between 20-35 years but this wine, from a top classified growth and a great vintage, may continue to offer immense pleasure past 40 years. Provenance is now crucial — pristine bottles can still be exceptional through 2025 and beyond.

Food pairing

Aged prime rib, roast lamb with rosemary, duck confit, mature firm cheeses (Comté, aged Gouda), wild mushrooms, or simply enjoyed quietly as a wine meditation.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (30-45 minutes (gentle decant for sediment only)) — Remove heavy sediment and allow fragile aromatics to emerge. Avoid aggressive aeration — the wine is delicate.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 5/10

Integrated pest management, reduced chemical use, solar panel installation, biodiversity promotion, significant replanting for vine health, investments in efficient water management and energy reduction for new cellars.

Château Cos d'Estournel is making steady environmental progress — notably in vineyard management and winery operations — but does not hold leading international sustainability certifications and is not publicly committed to full carbon neutrality or organic across all acreage. As a historic left-bank Bordeaux property focused on traditional methods, sustainability measures are meaningful but not cutting-edge. The carbon footprint is higher than newer, lighter-packaged, locally consumed wines. Expect future improvements, but for the 1982 vintage, sustainability was not a priority.