1998 Chateau Cos d'Estournel

靈魂 Hook：經典第二級名莊，慢慢打開才有驚喜的那款酒。

為什麼選它？
- 名門身份 -> 2ème Grand Cru Classé 的穩定水準，保證結構與陳年潛力。
- 香料與果實並重 -> 黑果、香料、煙草層次分明，即刻有得飲也耐人尋味。
- 橡木修飾得宜 -> 橡木帶來圓潤口感，不蓋掉核心風味。

侍酒師私房筆記：倒杯先聞到黑莓、cassis 和些許乾果味，接著有甘草、煙草與香料的細節。口腔裡酸度仍鮮活，單寧圓滑但有支撐感，餘韻帶點烤木與香料的回甘。若是有沉澱，醒一小時到九十分鐘，酒的層次會更開闊。

田地與釀造：Cos d'Estournel 位於 Saint-Estephe，莊園風格偏向濃郁且帶異國香料感。1998 年收成在酒體與香料表現上很出色，酒廠以橡木桶熟成以求平衡與細緻度。

場景化配餐指南：週末在家燒一塊炭燒肋眼、跟朋友去高級 steakhouse、或者中式燒味拼盤配上一小塊熟成 cheddar，都很合適。

降維打擊對比：比起同期那些動輒天價的名款，1998 Cos d'Estournel 在成熟複雜度與價格上有明顯優勢——老瓶感與性價比兼備。

Soul Hook: A sensual classic from a Deuxième Cru that reveals exotic spice and velvet over time.

Why choose it?
- Timeless pedigree -> From a 2ème Grand Cru Classé with a reputation for structured elegance and depth.
- Complex profile -> Layers of spice, dark fruit and tobacco offer immediate pleasure and cellar interest.
- Oak-matured finesse -> Carefully oaked maturation gives a silky texture without overwhelming the core fruit.

Producer & Winemaking Notes: Cos d’Estournel is deliberately slow to reveal itself: evocative, spicy and sensuous. The 1998 vintage combined ripe Merlots with unusually powerful Cabernets to produce a wine that is fruity, spicy, fresh and supported by velvety tannins. Matured in oak, the Grand Vin balances toast and dark-fruit complexity.

Sommelier's Note: On opening, expect dark berry and dried-fruit aromas threaded with tobacco, anise and toasted oak. Mid-palate is medium–full, fresh acidity keeps the profile lively while rounded tannins give weight and polish. Best served after at least 60–90 minutes decanting to lift tertiary notes and integrate any bottle sediment.

Occasion: Ideal for a refined steakhouse dinner, special family roast, or a celebration where the wine gets centre stage. In Hong Kong it pairs beautifully with a charcoal-grilled ribeye or a rich beef banquet.

Competitive Edge: Offers Grand Cru Classé pedigree and mature complexity at a fraction of modern-collectible prices — a smart choice for serious drinkers seeking depth and value.

Specification

• Alcohol %: 12.5%
• Decant Time: 60-90 minutes
• Taste: spice, blackberry, cassis, dried fruit, liquorice, tobacco, anise, fresh acidity, velvety tannins, oak toast
• Food Matching: Ribeye steak on the bone, Steak frites, Roast beef / Beef rib, Venison / game, Aged cheddar
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon : 55%, Merlot : 45%, Cabernet Franc , Petit Verdot , Malbec ,

Winery

Chateau Cos d'Estournel，是 Saint-Estephe 的知名第二級酒莊，風格偏向帶香料感、略顯感官的豪華派。現由 Michel Reybier 擁有，莊園重視細緻的桶陳與慢速釋放風味，適合收藏與細細品味。

Chateau Cos d'Estournel — a celebrated 2ème Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Estephe, known for a sensuous, spice-tinged style. Owned by Michel Reybier, the estate produces a Grand Vin that reveals itself slowly and is typically matured in oak to achieve texture and depth.