G d’Estournel Goulee Medoc Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about G d’Estournel Goulee Medoc with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, information on vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

G d’Estournel Goulee History, Overview

Goulee made its debut with the 2003 vintage. At first, the wine was sold under the name of Goulee. That was later changed to Goulee by Cos d’Estournel and changed again in time for the release of the 2019 vintage to G d’Estournel. The wine takes its name from a small, local port, le Port de-Goulee, which is located in the northern area of the Medoc.

The property can be difficult to find. To get there, you follow the D2 past Pauillac and continue heading due north, until you are a bit past St. Estephe to get there.

G d’Estournel Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The vineyards of Goulee are located on gravelly hills that face the Gironde river. Goulee, which was at one time an island surrounded by the waters of the Gironde river, enjoys a terroir of deep layers of gravel in their cool soils. The vines are planted to a density of 5,700 vines per hectare. They use high trellising and high canopy management in their vineyards.

The vineyard of G d’Estournel is planted to 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot for the red wine. Previously, Goulee also produced a small amount of white Bordeaux wine from a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. The vines for the white wine come from different terroir. Those vines are now part of Les Pagodes de Cos Blanc.

The wine of Goulee by Cos d’Estournel is vinifed at Marbuzet. The choice to vinify Goulee at Marbuzet, (a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel,) which is located close by in the Saint Estephe appellation was reasonable, as Marbuzet is also owned by Michel Reybier, the owner of Goulee and of course, Chateau Cos d’Estournel.

To produce the red wine of Goulee by Cos d’Estournel, vinification takes place in temperature-controlled, small, conical truncated shaped, stainless steel vats. The wine is aged in 50% new, French oak barrels. The production is close to 6,000 cases per year.

Goulee Blanc is no longer in production. Instead, those vines are now included in the second wine for Chateau Cos d’Estournel Blanc, Les Pagodes de Cos Blanc which is sold as a generic, AOC, Bordeaux Blanc. This took place starting with the 2017 vintage.

The best vintages of Chateau Goulee are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

G d’Estournel is a ripe, forward, rich, fleshy style of Bordeaux wine that offers one of the better price-to-quality value-oriented Bordeaux wines. G d’Estournel is produced by much of the same technical team that makes Chateau Cos d’Estournel.

When to Drink G d’Estournel, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

G d’Estournel can be decanted for an average of 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. G d’Estournel is usually better with at least 1-3 years of bottle age.

Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. G d’Estournel offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 3-10 years of age after the vintage.

Serving G d’Estournel with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

G d’Estournel is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine of Chateau Goulee is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

G d’Estournel is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as a diverse array of hard and soft cheese.

www.estournel.com

Goulée Wine Tasting Notes

21 Vintages 97,961 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
91
Dark currants, blackberries, chocolate and flowers show easily in the nose. On the palate, the wine is supple, creamy and round with a finish loaded with chocolate covered black plums. You can enjoy this on release. The wine blends 67% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2025-2035. 90-92 Pts.

Dark currants, blackberries, chocolate and flowers show easily in the nose. On the palate, the wine is supple, creamy and round with a finish loaded with chocolate covered black plums. You can enjoy this on release. The wine blends 67% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2025-2035. 90-92 Pts.

2,506 Views   Tasted
2021
90
Round, forward, fruity and already accessible, the medium-bodied, wine is filled with dark chocolate, black cherries, espresso and plums. You can enjoy this with ease on release. Drink from 2024-2031.

Round, forward, fruity and already accessible, the medium-bodied, wine is filled with dark chocolate, black cherries, espresso and plums. You can enjoy this with ease on release. Drink from 2024-2031.

196 Views   Tasted
Flowers, smoke, and red fruits are found in the nose and on the soft, supple, fresh, forward, already charming, fruity palate. This will drink well on release. Drink from 2023-2031. 88-90

Flowers, smoke, and red fruits are found in the nose and on the soft, supple, fresh, forward, already charming, fruity palate. This will drink well on release. Drink from 2023-2031. 88-90

1,922 Views   Tasted
2020
90
Licorice, black cherries, vanilla, espresso bean and nuances of roses create the nose. Medium-bodied, forward and fruity, the wine is soft, round, and leaves you with a polished, red cherry finish. Drink from 2023-2032.

Licorice, black cherries, vanilla, espresso bean and nuances of roses create the nose. Medium-bodied, forward and fruity, the wine is soft, round, and leaves you with a polished, red cherry finish. Drink from 2023-2032.

1,536 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, forward and fruity, the wine blends flowers, tobacco leaf, and plums on the nose and palate. Soft, juicy, and already a pleasure to drink, you can enjoy this on release and in a casual bistro or cafe with ease. 89-91 Pts

Medium-bodied, forward and fruity, the wine blends flowers, tobacco leaf, and plums on the nose and palate. Soft, juicy, and already a pleasure to drink, you can enjoy this on release and in a casual bistro or cafe with ease. 89-91 Pts

2,003 Views   Tasted
2019
90
The debut vintage for the newly renamed G d'Estournel, previously known as Goulee starts off with licorice, flowers, coffee, cocoa and plums. Medium-bodied, soft and polished, with round textures and sweet, ripe, polished cherries with plums, this charmer is going to be just great on release. Drink from 2023-2034.

The debut vintage for the newly renamed G d'Estournel, previously known as Goulee starts off with licorice, flowers, coffee, cocoa and plums. Medium-bodied, soft and polished, with round textures and sweet, ripe, polished cherries with plums, this charmer is going to be just great on release. Drink from 2023-2034.

2,773 Views   Tasted
A more elegant style of Goulee starts with notes of flowers, spice, black raspberry and blackberry aromatics. Medium-bodied, forward, soft and silky with a sweet, spicy, red fruit finish, one can enjoy this with minimal aging. The wine is a blend of 86% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc. 88-90 Pts

A more elegant style of Goulee starts with notes of flowers, spice, black raspberry and blackberry aromatics. Medium-bodied, forward, soft and silky with a sweet, spicy, red fruit finish, one can enjoy this with minimal aging. The wine is a blend of 86% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc. 88-90 Pts

2,900 Views   Tasted
2018
90
Medium/full-bodied, with notes of sweet cherries, licorice, cocoa and plums on the nose. Soft, round, forward and fruity, this is ready to go and will drink great for at least a decade.

Medium/full-bodied, with notes of sweet cherries, licorice, cocoa and plums on the nose. Soft, round, forward and fruity, this is ready to go and will drink great for at least a decade.

1,714 Views   Tasted
Big, round, juicy and fat, with density, ripe, dark fruits, a kiss of oak, black cherry and licorice. Not refined, but it is so full of fruit, flavor and it\'s going to be fun to drink on release, that more than makes up for it. 90-92 Pts

Big, round, juicy and fat, with density, ripe, dark fruits, a kiss of oak, black cherry and licorice. Not refined, but it is so full of fruit, flavor and it\'s going to be fun to drink on release, that more than makes up for it. 90-92 Pts

2,393 Views   Tasted
2017
88
Forward and round, the wine is all about the fruity entry and the sweetness harmonizing with a touch of olives and thyme on the back end. A blend of 72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc, this wine reached 12.8% ABV.

Forward and round, the wine is all about the fruity entry and the sweetness harmonizing with a touch of olives and thyme on the back end. A blend of 72% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc, this wine reached 12.8% ABV.

2,042 Views   Tasted
2016
90
With a touch of smoke, flint, mint, espresso and black cherries, the nose is quite nice. Open, round, sweet and fruity, with a nice kick of chocolate-covered cherries in the finish is what you find here. You can enjoy this now, or give it a few more years of age.

With a touch of smoke, flint, mint, espresso and black cherries, the nose is quite nice. Open, round, sweet and fruity, with a nice kick of chocolate-covered cherries in the finish is what you find here. You can enjoy this now, or give it a few more years of age.

2,373 Views   Tasted
Forward, easy to like, plush, ripe, round, luscious and open, the licorice coated red fruits in the finish taste and feel great. Drink this now and over the next decade or so.

Forward, easy to like, plush, ripe, round, luscious and open, the licorice coated red fruits in the finish taste and feel great. Drink this now and over the next decade or so.

1,734 Views   Tasted
Spicy, medium-bodied, fresh, forward with crisp, crunchy, sweet red fruits that will be ready to drink well on release, this wine was produced from a blend of 77% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, reaching 12.92% ABV.

Spicy, medium-bodied, fresh, forward with crisp, crunchy, sweet red fruits that will be ready to drink well on release, this wine was produced from a blend of 77% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, reaching 12.92% ABV.

1,995 Views   Tasted
2016
87
Forward, easy drinking, fresh, yellow citrus filled, summer drinking charmer that will be best in its first few years of life.

Forward, easy drinking, fresh, yellow citrus filled, summer drinking charmer that will be best in its first few years of life.

1,738 Views   Tasted
2015
89
This is showing really well today. The ripe black cherries, cocoa, licorice and smoke on the nose and palate coupled with round, soft, polished textures hits the spot. If you are seeking a forward, delicious wine for drinking over the near term, this is a nice choice and it sells for peanuts.

This is showing really well today. The ripe black cherries, cocoa, licorice and smoke on the nose and palate coupled with round, soft, polished textures hits the spot. If you are seeking a forward, delicious wine for drinking over the near term, this is a nice choice and it sells for peanuts.

2,068 Views   Tasted
Forward, medium bodied, early drinking Merlot based wine, with round, textures and an open, red plum and cherry profile.

Forward, medium bodied, early drinking Merlot based wine, with round, textures and an open, red plum and cherry profile.

3,555 Views   Tasted
An earthy style of Goulee by Cos, with a forward, discreet, medium bodied, bright, fresh, dark, red berry character. Produced from a blend of 77% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 12.5% ABV. 87 - 89 Pts

An earthy style of Goulee by Cos, with a forward, discreet, medium bodied, bright, fresh, dark, red berry character. Produced from a blend of 77% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. The wine reached 12.5% ABV. 87 - 89 Pts

3,374 Views   Tasted
2015
87
Light in color, with a crisp, early drinking profile of bright lemon and citrus flavors. Medium bodied, refreshing and uncomplicated, this is a good summer quaffer.

Light in color, with a crisp, early drinking profile of bright lemon and citrus flavors. Medium bodied, refreshing and uncomplicated, this is a good summer quaffer.

1,736 Views   Tasted
2014
90
Forward, ripe, sweet and fresh, medium/full bodied, with sweet, dark chocolate covered blackberries and thyme from start to finish. This is already quite tasty, and it should be even better with time.

Forward, ripe, sweet and fresh, medium/full bodied, with sweet, dark chocolate covered blackberries and thyme from start to finish. This is already quite tasty, and it should be even better with time.

3,865 Views   Tasted
Goulee by Cos d’Estournel was produced from a blend of 78% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. With licorice and black cherry notes, the forward yet approachable wine is soft, sweet and already surprisingly earthy. It will be best young. 88-89 Pts

Goulee by Cos d’Estournel was produced from a blend of 78% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cabernet Franc. With licorice and black cherry notes, the forward yet approachable wine is soft, sweet and already surprisingly earthy. It will be best young. 88-89 Pts

2,796 Views   Tasted
2014
87
Easy drinking, forward styled, fresh, juicy, white Bordeaux wine for early drinking pleasure. The wine is made from a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon.

Easy drinking, forward styled, fresh, juicy, white Bordeaux wine for early drinking pleasure. The wine is made from a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon.

3,049 Views   Tasted
2013
87
Produced using a blend of 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc, the wine is focused on its fresh, smoky, black raspberry-filled profile. Textures are soft before the tangy, citrus and raspberry finish. 87-89 Pts

Produced using a blend of 61% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc, the wine is focused on its fresh, smoky, black raspberry-filled profile. Textures are soft before the tangy, citrus and raspberry finish. 87-89 Pts

2,185 Views   Tasted
2012
89
Licorice, coffee, toast, spice and blackberry in the nose. On the mouth, the wine is soft, fresh, sweet and tart, with licorice on the back end.

Licorice, coffee, toast, spice and blackberry in the nose. On the mouth, the wine is soft, fresh, sweet and tart, with licorice on the back end.

2,540 Views   Tasted
Blending 60% Cabernet Sauvigon and 40% Merlot, the wine reached 13.38% ABV. Light aromas of earth, black raspberry, jam and licorice open to a light wine with soft textures, light spicy cherry fruits and an easy-to-like personality. 87-89 Pts

Blending 60% Cabernet Sauvigon and 40% Merlot, the wine reached 13.38% ABV. Light aromas of earth, black raspberry, jam and licorice open to a light wine with soft textures, light spicy cherry fruits and an easy-to-like personality. 87-89 Pts

1,933 Views   Tasted
2011
88
Medium bodied, and easy to like, the black cherry notes and forward, soft, round textures make this an easy wine to taste.

Medium bodied, and easy to like, the black cherry notes and forward, soft, round textures make this an easy wine to taste.

3,495 Views   Tasted
From a blend of 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13% ABV. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in 20% new oak with licorice, cherry, medium body and a dry cherry finish. 89-90 Pts

From a blend of 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13% ABV. Fermented in stainless steel and aged in 20% new oak with licorice, cherry, medium body and a dry cherry finish. 89-90 Pts

2,934 Views   Tasted
2010
90
Dark in color and packed with licorice, blackberry and chocolate covered cherries, this forward, flashy wine already delivers pleasure. This is probably best enjoyed in its first decade of life.

Dark in color and packed with licorice, blackberry and chocolate covered cherries, this forward, flashy wine already delivers pleasure. This is probably best enjoyed in its first decade of life.

4,829 Views   Tasted
Goulee 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot combine to produce a wine that opens with a spicy profile filled with coffee, fresh, ripe dark berries and licorice. Concentrated ripe, round berries, fresh cassis and bitter chocolate are found in the finish of this lush, styled wine from the team at Chateau Cos d’Estournel. 90-92 Pts

Goulee 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot combine to produce a wine that opens with a spicy profile filled with coffee, fresh, ripe dark berries and licorice. Concentrated ripe, round berries, fresh cassis and bitter chocolate are found in the finish of this lush, styled wine from the team at Chateau Cos d’Estournel. 90-92 Pts

5,177 Views   Tasted
2009
91
Ripe, easy to like, fat, juicy, lush and round, the vanilla tinged espresso, black cherry and licorice scented wine is already serving a lot of pleasure.

Ripe, easy to like, fat, juicy, lush and round, the vanilla tinged espresso, black cherry and licorice scented wine is already serving a lot of pleasure.

4,422 Views   Tasted
From a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, the wine offers licorice, cassis, blackberries and earth notes. Sweet, ripe, round and open, this fun, easy to like, affordable Bordeaux wine will drink well on release.

From a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, the wine offers licorice, cassis, blackberries and earth notes. Sweet, ripe, round and open, this fun, easy to like, affordable Bordeaux wine will drink well on release.

4,407 Views   Tasted
2009
87
Light in color, with refreshing, lemon and citrus flavors. Medium bodied with good acidity, it's a wine I'd drink on the young side.

Light in color, with refreshing, lemon and citrus flavors. Medium bodied with good acidity, it's a wine I'd drink on the young side.

3,948 Views   Tasted
2008
87
Full mature, medium bodied, soft. fruity wine with licorice, tobacco and earthy accents to the red fruits. Drink this over the next few years, before the fruit fades. The wine was produced from blending 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot.

Full mature, medium bodied, soft. fruity wine with licorice, tobacco and earthy accents to the red fruits. Drink this over the next few years, before the fruit fades. The wine was produced from blending 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot.

2,880 Views   Tasted
2005
90
With a dark color and aromas of licorice, cassis, blackberry and smoke, this sweet, ripe, juicy and fun to taste wine should drink well early.

With a dark color and aromas of licorice, cassis, blackberry and smoke, this sweet, ripe, juicy and fun to taste wine should drink well early.

5,143 Views   Tasted
2003
89
Still showing some its licorice, black cherry, coffee bean and earthy personality, this wine has lost some of its vibrancy and juicy fruits with time. However, the round textures are still present in the finish.

Still showing some its licorice, black cherry, coffee bean and earthy personality, this wine has lost some of its vibrancy and juicy fruits with time. However, the round textures are still present in the finish.

5,800 Views   Tasted