The 1987 Château Cos d’Estournel is a striking expression of a Second Growth estate in Saint-Estèphe, an appellation known for its structured, tannic, and long-lived wines. Cos d’Estournel, often called the “Oriental Château” due to its pagoda-inspired architecture, was founded in 1811 by Louis-Gaspard d’Estournel and has a long history of crafting opulent yet precise wines, balancing the power of the Médoc with elegance and exotic aromatics. By 1987, the estate was under the stewardship of the Mongest family, who continued its tradition of blending Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The 1987 vintage in Saint-Estèphe was marked by moderate conditions with cooler periods that slowed ripening, producing grapes with pronounced structure, moderate alcohol, and excellent acidity. The wine in the glass shows a deep garnet core with brick-red edges, revealing its age. Aromatically, expect cassis, blackberry, and black plum framed by graphite, tobacco, leather, and hints of exotic spices—a signature of Cos d’Estournel’s stylistic richness. The palate is full-bodied yet balanced, with fine-grained tannins softened by time, persistent minerality, and a layered complexity that continues to evolve. This is a wine where tertiary notes—dried tobacco leaf, forest floor, and subtle cigar box—become increasingly seductive with decanting, illustrating the estate’s masterful aging potential.

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