Château Cos d'Estournel
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend
St. Estèphe, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.
Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+.
Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.
Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+.
Bristol intense fruit. Dark fruit, licorice, glossy texture. Gorgeous. At the very start of drinking but lovely
Bristol intense fruit. Dark fruit, licorice, glossy texture. Gorgeous. At the very start of drinking but lovely
Nov 27th, 2025Intense cherry with a touch of tar. Iron and dense but very pure fruit. Good stuff but still tight and unyielding
Intense cherry with a touch of tar. Iron and dense but very pure fruit. Good stuff but still tight and unyielding
Dec 28th, 2024Happy New Year with tasting group. Solid. Nice development. Still on the tight side.
Happy New Year with tasting group. Solid. Nice development. Still on the tight side.
Jan 2nd, 2022
Powerful and complete. Black fruit, licorice, smoke and lots of structure. Excellent balance and integration. A pleasure with a tomahawk rib eye, or wait another 10-15 years.
Powerful and complete. Black fruit, licorice, smoke and lots of structure. Excellent balance and integration. A pleasure with a tomahawk rib eye, or wait another 10-15 years.
Dec 19th, 2020
From the superb 2005 vintage. Deep, powerful, masculine and layered, clearly still in its youth but wow this will be phenomenal. Already showing nicely with rich blackberries, cassis, newly bloomed violets, mocha, leather and hints of tea leaves. Finishes long and intense with plenty of grip.
From the superb 2005 vintage. Deep, powerful, masculine and layered, clearly still in its youth but wow this will be phenomenal. Already showing nicely with rich blackberries, cassis, newly bloomed violets, mocha, leather and hints of tea leaves. Finishes long and intense with plenty of grip.
Feb 16th, 2020
Wow ~ of all the vintages in the flight this one did it for me! Sumptuous nose as well but far from subtle. Flavors run deep starting red but quickly turning black. Strong structure of the vintage still there but finally shedding a few layers of tannins revealing walls of mocha and truffle. D!G
Wow ~ of all the vintages in the flight this one did it for me! Sumptuous nose as well but far from subtle. Flavors run deep starting red but quickly turning black. Strong structure of the vintage still there but finally shedding a few layers of tannins revealing walls of mocha and truffle. D!G
Sep 5th, 2019
A stunning wine. Really beautiful. Dark and intense. Drinks incredibly well now and has been for a while. I’ve had this a few times and consistently excellent. A beauty.
A stunning wine. Really beautiful. Dark and intense. Drinks incredibly well now and has been for a while. I’ve had this a few times and consistently excellent. A beauty.
May 10th, 2019This is young but wonderfully seductive. Dense and lush with deep red fruit and some spice. On the palate, wood still present but the fruit is deep and sexy and succulent. In years ahead this’ll be amazing but it has huge promise.
This is young but wonderfully seductive. Dense and lush with deep red fruit and some spice. On the palate, wood still present but the fruit is deep and sexy and succulent. In years ahead this’ll be amazing but it has huge promise.
Apr 17th, 2019
Had 200 vintage not long ago, great cherry and slight blackcherry, great acid and well balanced tannin and oak. Just love the purity of the fruit..my WOTN. 78% cab , 19% merlot..
Had 200 vintage not long ago, great cherry and slight blackcherry, great acid and well balanced tannin and oak. Just love the purity of the fruit..my WOTN. 78% cab , 19% merlot..
Apr 6th, 2019