2020 Cos d`Estournel Blanc (Bordeaux)

The cool temperatures during the growing cycle made 2017 an excellent vintage for white Bordeaux, allowing for high aromatics. Now four years old, there are touches of orange peel and citrus zest along with gentle lemongrass, white pear and apricot pit flavours. Gentle, ready to drink but will age further. Aged in 6% new oak, pH3.17. It was picked from 5 September until 22 September., from vines located in the northerly part of the Médoc region, close to the estuary. 94 points

The 2020 Cos d’Estournel Blanc has an attractive nose, the Semillon component more expressive than previous vintages, offering scents of beeswax, acacia honey, tinned white peaches and a hint of chamomile. The palate is crisp and taut on the entry, the spiciness on the front end and stem ginger and lemongrass getting the saliva flowing. Showing good weight and balance and an almost understated finish, this is quite simply a dry white Bordeaux that you want to keep drinking more of. Excellent. 91-93 points

The 2020 Cos d`Estournel Blanc is composed of 66% Sauvignon Blanc and 34% Semillon, with an alcohol of 14% and a pH of 3.15. The harvest took place August 31–September 10 with a yield of 24 hectoliters per hectare. It is aging in French oak barrels, 8% new. It bursts from the glass with vibrant notes of lime blossoms, fresh grapefruit and white peaches, plus hints of ripe pears and lemongrass with wafts of chalk dust and wet pebbles. The medium-bodied palate is charged with intense citrus and stony flavors, supported by a seriously racy line of acidity, finishing long and minerally. 93-95+ points

More length and precision than the Pagodes Blanc. Pin-point citrus note with a touch of vanilla oak. Good depth of fresh fruit on the palate then length and persistence. Really quite vibrant. 16.5+ points