Château Cos d'Estournel
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Estèphe, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Dark scarlet, opaque. Ethereal nose with a tobacco leaf dominance. Also, notes of black fruit, raspberries, fresh cut cigar, dark soil, cedar desk and a little menthol. Rich in the mouth. More delicate than the more angular Montelena next to it. This was more complex and had more going for it, but both bottles paired well with the meat courses at the table.
Dark scarlet, opaque. Ethereal nose with a tobacco leaf dominance. Also, notes of black fruit, raspberries, fresh cut cigar, dark soil, cedar desk and a little menthol. Rich in the mouth. More delicate than the more angular Montelena next to it. This was more complex and had more going for it, but both bottles paired well with the meat courses at the table.
Feb 4th, 2022
I was very interested in trying this bottle for myself, as I know I’d seen a little Insta-negativity surrounding it 😅. There’s complex aromatics of cassis, savory herbs, tobacco, truffle, graphite and mint. Initially it’s heavily herbaceous and driven by its aged secondary character, probably more so than to my liking.
But, it really turns a corner and picks up weight and fruit expression after about an hour or so in the decanter. At this time it shows an open and seductive profile with a velvety texture and a balanced expression of fruit and tertiary character which lead to a very persistent finish. Overall I enjoyed this bottle, as my expectations were in check, although it doesn’t compare to Montrose in this vintage which is utterly superb.
I was very interested in trying this bottle for myself, as I know I’d seen a little Insta-negativity surrounding it 😅. There’s complex aromatics of cassis, savory herbs, tobacco, truffle, graphite and mint. Initially it’s heavily herbaceous and driven by its aged secondary character, probably more so than to my liking.
But, it really turns a corner and picks up weight and fruit expression after about an hour or so in the decanter. At this time it shows an open and seductive profile with a velvety texture and a balanced expression of fruit and tertiary character which lead to a very persistent finish. Overall I enjoyed this bottle, as my expectations were in check, although it doesn’t compare to Montrose in this vintage which is utterly superb.
The reason I fell in love with Bordeaux is because I had one of the greatest mentors one could have, Clyde Beffa Jr. - Owner of K&L Wine Merchants. I could never thank him enough or show enough gratitude for the kindness he has shown me. He has been going to Bordeaux multiple times a year for 40 plus years and shown me the greatness of well made Bordeaux’s enjoyed at the age of 25 years plus!
Many who open well made Bordeaux’s young will never know the absolute Heaven they bring to the palate and even more so with a great steak. You only rob yourself of perfection when you open them inside of 25 years. Sure you can check em at 10-15 years for longevity but, you need to have/save bottles for 25 years plus.
Also, an old Bordeaux at 95 is not nearly the same as a young 95. At this age, technical scores are simply not the same as young wine. The enjoyment is completely different.
The nose reveals; a slight touch of funk, dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries on the edge of the glass, anise, cedar, graphite, used leather, just a whiff of green pepper, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark Asian spice, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days.
The body is round, soft and full. The 90 is the definition of elegant and floral. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfect with another 5-10 years of pleasure to give. It’s gorgeous and sexy. Dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, some blueberries, strawberries on the long set, anise, cedar, graphite, soft, used leather, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, salted, milk chocolate, dark Asian spice with just a touch of palate heat, a hint of green pepper, savory meats, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry crushed minerals, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days. The acidity is perfect like a warm gentle rain shower. The finish is a “forget about it.” It’s; gorgeous, sexy, lush, ripe, just the right amount of earthiness, elegant, well balanced and will persist until you go to sleep.
13% ABV. I sure miss the 12–13% ABV of the 80 & early 90 Bordeaux’s.
Photos of; the majestic Chateau Cos d’Estournel and Estate vines, their barrel room with translucent floor to walk above, their library cellar that most would love to raid and their sitting salon.
The reason I fell in love with Bordeaux is because I had one of the greatest mentors one could have, Clyde Beffa Jr. - Owner of K&L Wine Merchants. I could never thank him enough or show enough gratitude for the kindness he has shown me. He has been going to Bordeaux multiple times a year for 40 plus years and shown me the greatness of well made Bordeaux’s enjoyed at the age of 25 years plus!
Many who open well made Bordeaux’s young will never know the absolute Heaven they bring to the palate and even more so with a great steak. You only rob yourself of perfection when you open them inside of 25 years. Sure you can check em at 10-15 years for longevity but, you need to have/save bottles for 25 years plus.
Also, an old Bordeaux at 95 is not nearly the same as a young 95. At this age, technical scores are simply not the same as young wine. The enjoyment is completely different.
The nose reveals; a slight touch of funk, dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, strawberries on the edge of the glass, anise, cedar, graphite, used leather, just a whiff of green pepper, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark Asian spice, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days.
The body is round, soft and full. The 90 is the definition of elegant and floral. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfect with another 5-10 years of pleasure to give. It’s gorgeous and sexy. Dark, ripe, currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, some blueberries, strawberries on the long set, anise, cedar, graphite, soft, used leather, vanilla, caramel, mocha, dark chocolate, salted, milk chocolate, dark Asian spice with just a touch of palate heat, a hint of green pepper, savory meats, incense, dark & mid berry cola, dark, rich earth, underbrush, limestone, dry crushed minerals, dry stone, hint of sweet tarriness, light, dry herbaceousness, black tea, with dry, withering, fresh, dark, red, blue candied flowers and violets and lavender for days. The acidity is perfect like a warm gentle rain shower. The finish is a “forget about it.” It’s; gorgeous, sexy, lush, ripe, just the right amount of earthiness, elegant, well balanced and will persist until you go to sleep.
13% ABV. I sure miss the 12–13% ABV of the 80 & early 90 Bordeaux’s.
Photos of; the majestic Chateau Cos d’Estournel and Estate vines, their barrel room with translucent floor to walk above, their library cellar that most would love to raid and their sitting salon.
tobacco, leather.... in a great place ....
tobacco, leather.... in a great place ....
3 people found it helpfulJan 1st, 2015
Garnet color. Red fruit and pencil lead on the nose. Full body, almost hedonistic with a long finish. Excellent.
Garnet color. Red fruit and pencil lead on the nose. Full body, almost hedonistic with a long finish. Excellent.
1 person found it helpfulOct 4th, 2018
Justin had this 6 years ago
Justin had this 6 years ago
1 person found it helpfulSep 21st, 2018It just kept getting better with air
It just kept getting better with air
1 person found it helpfulSep 9th, 2018
John had this 6 years ago
John had this 6 years ago
1 person found it helpfulSep 6th, 2018
Carsten had this 7 years ago
Carsten had this 7 years ago
1 person found it helpfulApr 23rd, 2018
Mike had this 7 years ago
Mike had this 7 years ago
1 person found it helpfulJan 15th, 2018