Early April is always a special time for Cos d’Estournel, one dedicated to dialogue, sharing and new discoveries. As for many vineyards in Bordeaux, it marks a crucial moment, when we meet with wine industry professionals to present our latest vintage. As this intense week comes to an end, we invite you to take a closer look at this singular practice.
A Bordeaux Tradition
Unique to Bordeaux, the “en primeur” system allows the region’s most prestigious vineyards to sell wine futures. Established several decades ago, the “en primeur” system is today an essential part of business practice.
In the spring, major players (negociants, brokers, journalists, critics, sommeliers, opinion-makers, etc.) from the world over meet in Bordeaux to taste wines harvested the previous year. Discerning the potential of these very young wines at such an early stage can prove a challenge, as they have only just begun to age.
The “en primeur” week is filled with tension and excitement. At the end of the week, reviews will determine the reputation of each wine before it is made available for sale around the globe through a network of Bordeaux negociants and their distributors in each country. For eighteen months each wine will continue to age and evolve before being bottled and eventually shipped to its final destination.
“En Primeur” at Cos d’Estournel
The “en primeur” tastings are an annual highlight for vineyards in Bordeaux. At Cos d’Estournel, we believe that sharing ideas and emotions about these very young wines is key to discovering a new vintage and understanding its potential.
Our “en primeur” wines can only be tasted at the estate during a personalized visit with a member of our team. We are deeply proud of our wines and feel it is essential to share the passion that drives us throughout the winemaking process. It is not just about how the wines taste; it is also about how they came to be and how we imagine they will evolve, from the flowering of the vine to the moment they are served. It is about how we helped our grapes grow and thrive, how we were affected by weather conditions and how we seek to reveal a certain style and personality in each of our four wines. This, we believe, is the only way to properly discover our wines “en primeur” and understand their history and how they will express their potential in the future.
In May, we begin selling our 2016 wine futures. If you do not already work with a supplier, we will be happy to suggest one upon request through e-mail, at the address estournel@estournel.com. Wines will be made available after bottling in January 2019.
