Legendary Winery Cos d'Estournel To Release Limited-Edition Vintage "COS100" As A Tribute To The Illustrious History Of The Château
Exclusive and Emblematic Wine Harvested from One-Hundred-Year-Old Merlot Vines will be Available through Private Sale and Live Auction
NEW YORK, March 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cos d'Estournel, an iconic vineyard in the Bordeaux region of France, will unveil COS100, a limited-edition single varietal vintage, in March 2018. COS100 was created in honor of the 100th anniversary of "Parcelle des Femmes," a revered plot located within the heart of Cos d'Estournel vineyards that was planted by courageous women during World War I. Derived from these one-hundred-year-old Merlot vines, COS100 is a rare and exceptional wine that will be exclusively available through private sales in just 10 Balthazars (12 liter) and 100 Double Magnums (3 liter). Two of the Balthazars will be sold during live auctions in New York City and Hong Kong with proceeds benefitting Elephant Family, a non-profit organization that aims to save Indian elephants from extinction through field projects, conservation efforts and habitat rehabilitation.
COS100 is a not only an exceptional wine, but a unique project that pays homage to the historical significance of its terroir. Harvested in 2015 from Merlot Vines, COS100 is a tribute to the brave women who, despite the fact that their men were at war, faced adversity and forged ahead to plant vines to maintain the future of the Château for the next century. Since the vineyard's founding in 1811, Cos d'Estournel has embodied this forward thinking spirit. Unlike traditional Bordeaux vineyards of this time, Cos d'Estournel distinguished itself by dispatching wine to remote parts of the world, most notably to India. Overtime, Cos d'Estournel became strongly connected to India through its ongoing shipments and its opulent Asian inspired pagodas and ornate archways in the Château, and founder Louis Gaspard d'Estournel became recognized as the 'Maharajah of Saint-Estèphe', forging a new and unique path. With the release of COS100, Cos d'Estournel continues to follow the visionary trajectory set forth by Louis Gaspard d'Estournel, that has been carried on by the ambitious spirit of the current owner, Michel Reybier.
To highlight the high quality of this vintage, COS100 will be exclusively available in large format bottles, giving the wine extraordinary aging potential. Each Balthazar and Double Magnum is individually numbered and bottled by hand at the Château, and to emphasize the timelessness of this release, each wine bottle will bear a delicately engraved inscription rather than a label. The bottles will be presented in bespoke wood and leather boxes, making COS100 a true collector's piece that can be handed down for generations.
"The release of COS100 signifies the incredible journey that began with Louis Gaspard d'Estournel," said Cos d'Estournel owner Michel Reybier. "With COS100, I want to pay tribute to the terroir, and to acknowledge the women who, more than a hundred years ago, courageously worked in the vineyard to ensure the continuity of the estate. A symbol of transmission, COS100 is a unique wine nurtured over several generations, a powerful link between a glorious past and a promising future. It is with great pride that I reveal an exceptional wine, a testimony to our permanent quest for excellence that fosters the legend of Cos d'Estournel."
Cos d'Estournel auctioned one Balthazar during an invite-only event led by Sotheby's on February 28, 2018 in New York City. Also on the auction block were two original Elephant sculptures created by notable artists Curtis Kulig and Jason Woodside, as well as an unforgettable Indian experience with the Maharaja of Jaipur.
"We are honored by Cos d'Estournel's commitment to our work to save Asia's endangered elephants and we are delighted by this meaningful association on the COS100 events," said Ruth Powys, Chief Executive Officer at Elephant Family. It testifies Cos d'Estournel's long-lasting admiration for Indian culture, and especially, the elephant."
Following the New York City auction on February 28, 100 Double Magnums are now available for private purchase through www.estournel.com/COS100.
About Cos d'Estournel
On the heights of Saint-Estèphe stand the majestic pagodas of Cos d'Estournel, the legacy of Louis-Gaspard Lacoste de Maniban, Marquis d'Estournel, the "Maharajah of Saint Estèphe". A daring man, he travelled all over the world to extol the merits of his wine and win over new customers. The estate, founded in 1811 on this gravelly hillside of Cos, was fashioned over the years by this visionary, and today it allows for cultivation of a terroir with a remarkable complexity and richness. Since 2000, Cos d'Estournel has been run by Michel Reybier. To follow the avant-garde vision of the founder and to take a decisive technical lead, Michel Reybier built the first Bordeaux wine cellar working purely by gravity in 2007. This tool helps in the search for excellence at the estate and allows the grapes to be treated with true respect. As a result of Michel Reybier's forward thinking philosophy, the great terroir of Cos d'Estournel has been further enhanced, illustrated by three wines: the Grand Vin Cos d'Estournel, les Pagodes de Cos and Cos d'Estournel Blanc.
SOURCE Cos d’Estournel
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