Cos d'Estournel Blanc 2017

The oak and the fruit are entwined on the nose to give finesse, with both citrus and mealy oak creaminess. Smells beautifully creamy and yet utterly fresh with just a suggestion of clementine. Mouth-filling freshness, that creamy texture and a long, pink-grapefruit finish. Rich and concentrated but not at all heavy, incredibly persistent. So fresh on the finish, mouth-watering and with a maritime freshness. 12.9%Drink 2019-2027

Citrus and apple the nose is fresh the start of the palate crisp and crunchy. There is mid depth ripe greengage more breadth of flavour the back-palate light and bright the finish is firm and fresh. 2020-27

I like this a lot. There is a freshness here which can be seen in the reds, too, and it is a successful wine for Cos. Clean, lemony, smooth and with a little touch of almond essence, this is a delightful wine. It is certainly my favourite vintage to date.

The 2017 Cos d’Estournel Blanc is aged in just 6% new oak, the pH coming in at a lip-smacking 3.17. It was picked from 5 September until 22 September. It has a striking bouquet of citrus fruit, white peach and yellow flowers, hints of melted candle wax in the background imparted by the Sémillon. The palate is well balanced with notes of lime cordial, citrus peel, a touch of mango and just the right amount of salinity that pricks up the finish. I appreciate its weight and body, perhaps not the most cerebral dry white Bordeaux, but certainly a delicious wine that will be difficult to resist one bottle. This will mature in barrel until next July, an élevage of around ten months in total. Drink 2020-2030.

This is going to be a wonderful Cos white with green mangoes, sliced apples and crushed-stone character. Green kiwis, too. Full-bodied and very rich with tension and brightness. Fantastic length. 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon.

Cos d'Estournel started making this white wine in 2005 from the Goulée vineyard. The 2017 Blanc is composed of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon. It gives beautiful, expressive grapefruit, ripe peach and passion fruit notes with touches of baker’s yeast, powdered ginger, nutmeg and beeswax. Medium-bodied, vibrant, racy and with great finesse, it has a very long citrus and tropical fruit-laced finish. With plenty of structure and intensity, it should age reasonably well.