Cos d'Estournel was founded in the 19th century by the horse and wine merchant Louis-Gaspard Estournel, who set himself no less a goal than to produce the best wine in the world. In view of the great location and the immediate vicinity of the highly respected Château Lafite-Rothschild in Pauillac, which are only separated by the small ditch Jalle de Breuil, this noble goal was not even unrealistic. Through extravagant attempts to improve quality - Estournel sent his wine to India and back by ship every time before selling it - the quality fanatic finally ruined himself. The impressive pagodas of the barrel storage cellar are evidence of his numerous trips to Asia.

After several changes of ownership, the next formative era (1917-1998) was that of the Ginestet and Prats families of wine merchants. Since 2000, Cos d'Estournel has been wholly owned by the industrialist Reybier, with Jean-Guillaume Prats only responsible for the day-to-day running of the business.

The vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (38%) and Cabernet Franc (2%). 80% of the wine is aged in new barriques. Cos d'Estournel stands for power as well as finesse, for opulence as well as elegance. It is one of the most interesting and exotic wines of the Medoc.