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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.3 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 398 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by M.Batard on 3/31/2024 & rated 88 points: Sadly, this bottle had no fruit left to speak of. (494 views) | | | Tasted by Nanda on 3/22/2024: Consistent with my bottle from a few months ago. (698 views) | | | Tasted by moguls on 3/22/2024: tasty (555 views) | | | Tasted by MC2 Wines on 1/13/2024: Timuquana BYO (TCC): More age than the ‘95. Get some sage, herbal, more baking spice in style. Drinks very well. It’s more of the secondary and brawny style but also has all of the energy and verve of a great wine. Drinking really great. (1684 views) | | | Tasted by mflesh on 12/29/2023: Really interesting wine. Tasted alongside a 1964 Pio Cesare Barolo and a 1979 Ducru Beaucaillou. In the first hour, this one seemed to have the most depth and complexity than the other two. In the second hour, the Ducru had passed it in complexity, where the Italian was off in left field. After the third hour, the Cos was actually gone (thankfully...as it did not hold well in the decanter). Those that still had some in the glass noticed that this one seemed to really fall off the ledge whereas The red fruit complexity of the Italian Barolo started to show, and the complexity of the Ducru started to blast off to Infinity and beyond! Just think this bottle may have not been in a great place as I have had several Cos in the past and they have all been pretty good. This one was showing okay, but not as well as I know this wine can show. Drink or hold for 10 years. (1293 views) | | | Tasted by rmcnees on 12/29/2023 & rated 93 points: Garnet colored with a slight tinge of brown rust bricking, medium full bodied, complex, concentrated, rich black berry and black cherry fruits with notes of leather, tobacco, coffee, herbs, spice and hints of cedar with lush tannins and crisp acidity on a long aromatic finish.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2023/12/christmas-dinner-offers-medley-of.html (1022 views) | | | Tasted by Nanda on 12/25/2023 & rated 93 points: Fairly restrained on pop n' pour this opened up over a few hours to reveal a mature, layered and classic Left Bank Bordeaux, but it took some air and time to get their. A youthful '89 that needs time or a decant. (1170 views) | | | Tasted by Vinnut on 11/29/2023 & rated 93 points: Medium-dark garnet in color with slight clearing at the edges. Full, forward & fragrant nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blackberries & cassis with overtones of classic cigar box notes of cedar & tobacco, leather, graphite, floral notes of violets, herbs, forest floor/loam, mushrooms, minerals, cocoa, tar & some sous-bois notes. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of dark cherries, blackcurrants & cassis with herbs, mushrooms, minerals, coffee & a slight hint of oak/vanilla. Long lingering silky-smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present with decanting & airing. At 34 years of age, I doubt any further development would occur from additional aging, but it should hold here for another 4 to 5 years. Fill was in lower neck; cork was saturated 1/2 up but intact. (1434 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 7/30/2023 & rated 93 points: I definitely preferred this in its middle age, and unlike most of the top notch left bankers from the year, this has hit its peak. It is becoming more attractive as tertiary notes bed in, but it is not one the heavyweights from the vintage. Tell notes of cedar and blackcurrant define the wine, but lost fruit has left it a little exposed to tannin. Probably there is not a lot of upside in leaving this to develop. (2159 views) | | | Tasted by NapaRick on 5/29/2023 & rated 90 points: Opened, filtered/decanted and rested several hours. Color was more toward a brown leather. Tasted fine, but not much fruit and little tannins. Probably reaching the end of its drinkability.
The wine looks caramel colored. The legs are medium. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. (2044 views) | | | Tasted by d'Artagnan on 4/14/2023 & rated 94 points: Dégustation bordelaise 1989-1990 (Chez François G.): Un nez très charmeur qui m’a immédiatement fait penser à Cos. Un vrai flash-back olfactif d'une autre époque, où je goûtais plus souvent ce vin, il y a plus d'une quinzaine d'années! Je croyais rêver, quel plaisir de retrouver ces notes de cassis, avec un côté floral, du cèdre, exactement mes souvenirs (j'ajoute que le domaine a changé son style à partir de 2001 avec un boisé plus appuyé donnant des notes de moka).
La bouche est ronde et joufflue, elle fait très 1989. C'est aujourd'hui un grand charmeur, facile à boire, en pleine forme et vraiment délicieux, quoique sans la complexité du suivant. Magnifique vin en pleine forme, sur son plateau. 94 pts (2736 views) | | | Tasted by Mario17 on 4/14/2023 & rated 93 points: Dégustation comparaison Bordeaux 89 vs 90. Fruits rouges, cassis, cèdre, typé rive gauche, un vin avec une belle fraîcheur malgré un certain côté charmeur, assez large en bouche, mais tout de même équilibré, belle longueur. Mon 2e sur les 89. 92-93
Bordeaux 89 vs 90 tasting. Red fruit, cassis, cedar, very left bank in style, nice freshness and balance despite a certain roundness and charm to the palate, good length. (2490 views) | | | Tasted by super007 on 3/23/2023 & rated 90 points: Cork crumbled, so poured through filter into decanter. No leaking through the cork.
Such lite and silky tannins.
Very lite cocoa.
Some game meat notes, maybe jerky.
I genuinely enjoyed this. Was this the best wine, aged or fresh that I’ve had, no but enjoyed the experience quite a lot.
60/40 Cab Sauv / Merlot (2300 views) | | | Tasted by Armen757 on 3/19/2023: Perfect drinking age - smooth and has aged beautifully. (1769 views) | | | Tasted by BLam on 2/4/2023 & rated 93 points: It was one of the twelve wines in the CNY gathering in Jim's home with wonderful fireworks. Everybody got drunk that night but felt graceful. Thank you Jim! (1124 views) | | | Tasted by novie1234 on 1/1/2023 & rated 94 points: At open, as soon as the cork lifted, the leathery smokiness of the Cos came to life. At first glass, no decant, it was a bit tight and short. As it gained air in the glass, it became beautiful - not incredible, but beautiful. A bit of acid persists throughout. I am certain this could age for quite a long time, but now showing a great balance between secondary and tertiary. (1886 views) | | | Tasted by Dibbs on 12/22/2022 & rated 91 points: Probably doesn't deserve this score but vs. the competition of the 86 Margaux and 95 Altare Arborina didn't stand a chance. It was very easy to identify that it didn't have the pedigree of the Margaux and didn't have the exoticism of the Altare. On its own merit, it is a solid drink. (1895 views) | | | Tasted by Jonathanmustang on 12/3/2022 & rated 93 points: Ouvert 6h d’avance, le nez plutôt unidimensionnel sur le poivron au départ mettra du temps à s’ouvrir pour faire place en fin de soirée à un magnifique nez tertiaire sur la fumée, le cuir, le menthol, les épices et un restant de fruit… je pense même détecter un peu de café / chocolat
Bouche bien en place et ouvert… l’attaque est un brin vieillotte mais le crescendo fait son oeuvre vers du fruit rouge, du sous-bois, du poivron et quelques épices douces
Le milieu de bouche est plein de matière, belle balance encore beaucoup de belle acidité, c’est évidement fondu et on perçois du graphite, du poivron, du café, et le classique textbook vieux bordeaux
Finale très longue et suave sur le chocolat, les épices, le graphite
Un vin vraiment wow, classique vieux bordeaux sur son plateau… plante pas mal de 1er grands crus classés de la même époque ! (2034 views) | | | Tasted by popasq on 11/25/2022 & rated 96 points: Classic Cos, drank it over 3 hours, needed 30 minutes to open up, this was simply awesome. (1882 views) | | | Tasted by Bham290 on 11/24/2022: Peppery (1702 views) | | | Tasted by Papies on 11/21/2022 & rated 96 points: Moët Hennessy Portfolio Tasting (10 Cases, London): Some decanting advisable here but no need for a long decant.
It’s been a good decade since we tried this wine ( Papies 93) albeit we did have 2 corked bottles in the meantime.
This to us ( especially having tried the mesmerising 1996 a couple of weeks ago, Papies 96) is an atypical Cos. Riper , more on the fruit and less of the minerality and austerity that we associate with both Cos and St Estephe. Still though this was a mesmerising bottle. Bright and still energetic albeit well evolved, healthy fruit, soft earthy and a nose beautiful enough to launch a 1000 ships to its rescue. Lovers of classic well aged left bank claret like ourselves would love this. Easy 95-96 and with a good decade of top end life left in the tank. (1733 views) | | | Tasted by Rani on 10/29/2022 & rated 95 points: Lots of dried herbs, dill and sous bois in the nose. Super fine tannins, velvety texture and amazing balance on the palate. Layers of subdued black fruit couple with smokey earthy notes. Definitely mature and ready now, will probably not improve. (1552 views) | | | Tasted by Dmax808 on 10/20/2022 & rated 92 points: I generally prefer wine with a good amount of age but this made me think maybe a little younger than 30 years for Bordeaux is the right place for me. This bottle had very little primary fruit and seemed a little monotone. Still enjoyable but didn't live up to expectation. (1616 views) | | | Tasted by SnobNouveau on 10/14/2022 & rated 94 points: Elegant, soft, integrated, and brooding on its mid length finish. Tannins and old world class remain. Like a woman who is almost old enough to have lost her spark of beauty. But right now, she definitely still has it. Drink now. (1453 views) | | | Tasted by djhammond on 9/12/2022 & rated 94 points: Tasted regularly over the last decade, this is ready to drink. Fully mature, it is forward for the year and probably is a wine that is not going to improve. Also as the fruit fades some tannic elements are being exposed particularly on the finish. Minimal decanting is needed. 94+ (1993 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Neal Martin
Vinous, A Century of Bordeaux: The Nines (Sep 2019) (9/1/2019)
(Cos D'estournel Cos D'estournel Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Mar/Apr 2019, Issue #80, Another Look At the 1989 and 1990 Bordeaux - Twin Vintages Have Taken Different Paths With Age
(Château Cos d’Estournel) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Neal Martin
Vinous, Fairest of Them All: Cos d’Estournel 1928 – 2015 (Oct 2018) (10/1/2018)
(Cos D'estournel Cos D'estournel Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Gary Walsh
The WINEFRONT (3/16/2018)
(Chateau Cos d’Estournel) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (4/22/2015)
(Ch Cos d'Estournel St-Estèphe Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (8/20/2013)
(Ch Cos d'Estournel St-Estèphe Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Jul/Aug 2012, Issue #40, The Annual Champagne and Sparkling Wine Report
(Château Cos d’Estournel) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/30/2011)
(Ch Cos d'Estournel St-Estèphe Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/17/2010)
(Ch Cos d'Estournel St-Estèphe Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, '24' in Bordeaux (1/31/2010)
(Cos d’Estournel) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, July/August 2002, IWC Issue #103
(Chateau Cos d'Estournel Saint Estephe) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/28/2002)
(Ch Cos d'Estournel St-Estèphe Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (3/7/2003)
(Château Cos d'Estournel) Reticent, herbaceous, olive nose with a touch of curry; plum, balanced, herbaceous palate with firm tannins; medium-plus finish 92 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and View From the Cellar and The WINEFRONT and JancisRobinson.com and Vintage Tastings and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Château Cos d'Estournel Producer website – Read more about Chateau Cos d’EstournelRed Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanMédoc Vins du Médoc (Conseil des Vins du Médoc) - Read More about the Medoc
VdB
The eight precisely defined appellations of the whole of the Médoc (from Blanquefort Brook to the north of the Bordeaux built-up area, almost to the Pointe de Grave) may claim the Médoc appellation. But there is also a specific territory in the north of the peninsula which produces exclusively wines with this appellation. In the great majority, the Médocs come from the north of the peninsula. The great individuality of this region is that the number of vines has increased more recently here than elsewhere, apart from a few isolated spots where vines have grown for many years. Today, the size of the small estate has brought about the development of a powerful co-operative movement. Four co-operatives out of five belong to the group called Unimédoc which ensures aging, bottling and marketing a large proportion of their wines.St. Estèphe Read more about St. Estephe and its wines Whereas the first activity recorded in Saint-Estèphe goes back as far as the Middle Bronze Age, the first vines date from the Roman Occupation. But it was the Bordeaux merchants who by aging and selling Saint-Estèphe wines themselves were largely responsible for this appellation's fame. And in the nineteenth century, noted for its prosperity, the great estates of today were created. The movement continues today with the merging of small estates.
A land of great wines, Saint-Estèphe is situated almost in the centre of the Médoc, close to the Gironde Estuary. The appellation is equidistant from Bordeaux and the Pointe de Grave.
The beds of soil are characterized by their remarkable diversity, the result of their undulating relief and excellent drainage. Quartz and well-rounded pebbles mingled with light, sandy surface soil are found everywhere, giving the wines a distinctive finesse. And the subsoil is made up of the famous Saint-Estèphe limestone, which outcrops on the west of the commune.
Tasting
Thanks to ideal conditions of climate and geology, Saint-Estèphe wines are characterized by their sturdy qualities and robust constitution. Accordingly, they can be laid down for a very long time while yet preserving their youth and freshness. Distinguished by a subsoil which is more clayey than that in the other communal appellations which lie by the river, the wine here attains a distinctive individuality : a very rich tannic structure, a fine deep red colour and an exceptional backbone with aromas of great finesse.
Production conditions (Decree dated September 11, 1936):
In order to have the right to the Saint-Estèphe appellation of controlled origin, red wines must:
- come from the communes of Saint-Estèphe, "excluding any parcels in that area which are situated on recent alluvium and sand on impermeable subsoils",
- satisfy precise production conditions : grape-varieties (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Carmenère, Merlot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cot or Malbec), minimum of sugar (178 grammes - 6.27 oz. - per litre of must) degree (an acquired 10°5) base yield (45 hectolitres per hectare). |
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