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Cos buys Montelena

By July 23, 2008Fine Wine Market

Montelena

The owner of the Bordeaux Super Second, Cos d’Estournel, has bought legendary Napa estate Chateau Montelena (pictured above).  Michel Reybier is rumoured to have paid in excess of $120 million dollars for the 19th century winery and its 200 acres of vines. The highly respected general manager of Cos, Jean-Guillaume Prats, has been named president of Montelena.

Decanter, Wine Spectator and Jancis Robinson have the full details.

It appears Reybier has bought Montelena at a rather advantageous time. As well as benefiting from the weak dollar, he gets an estate that is about to play the starring role in a new Hollywood film, Bottleshock. Somewhat ironically, the film is based on Montelena’s surprise victory at the ’Judgment of Paris’, the infamous tasting of 1976 in which Napa’s top wines beat the best of Bordeaux and Burgundy in a blind tasting.  Montelena Chardonnay 1973 was voted top white wine and  Stag’s Leap Cabernet 1973 the top red. Launched next month, you can watch the trailer here.  With the defeated party having now bought out the victor, perhaps a sequel is in order? ‘Bottleshock 2: Bordeaux bites back.’