Goulee by Cos d'Estournel Médoc 2018

The 2018 Goulée by Cos d'Estournel is a very pretty wine that balances fruit intensity with expressive aromatic top notes. Rose petal, mint, dried flowers, licorice and espresso lift a core of red/purplish berry fruit as this stylish, Merlot-based Médoc shows off its considerable allure. The blend is 73% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc. Yields were just 33 hectoliters per hectare, as opposed to the more typical 45-50. Give it a good deal of aeration.

The 2018 Goulée By Cos D'Estournel comes from the northern Médoc (north of Saint-Estèphe) and is mostly Merlot blended with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The northern Médoc excelled in 2018, and readers will love this wine. Lots of black cherry and darker berry fruits as well as leafy herbs, cedarwood, and a touch of tobacco define the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a plump, round, nicely texture mouthfeel, some floral notes with air, and a fresh yet balanced finish. It's the finest version of this cuvée to date and is ideal for enjoying over the coming 5-7 years.

This Médoc estate has the same winemaking team as Château Cos d'Estournel in Saint-Estèphe. This wine is sumptuously rich, with cushioned tannins and layers of black fruits. This ripe wine will age quickly and will be ready from 2022.