Community Tasting Note
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forceberry wrote: 88 points
September 10, 2023 - A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Merlot (38%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (1%). 13,5% alcohol.
Dense, fully opaque blackish-red color with a faint, evolved pomegranate color. The dark-toned nose feels slightly evolved and subtly sweetish with aromas of dark plummy fruit, some toasty oak spice, a little bit of ripe blackcurrant, a light Fino Sherry-like streak of aldehydic greenness and a hint of pruney dark fruit. The wine feels ripe, quite silky and pretty open-knit on the palate with a moderately full body and quite savory flavors of juicy dark plum and meaty umami, some wizened dark berries, a little bit of toasty oak spice, light woody notes of pencil shavings, a brambly hint of black raspberries and a faint aldehydic touch of green almonds or green apple slices. The structure relies a bit more on the high acidity than on the somewhat resolved yet still moderately grippy medium tannins. The finish is long, savory and somewhat grippy with a dry, slightly aldehydic aftertaste of ripe blackcurrants and savory meaty character, some brambly notes of black raspberries, a little bit of toasty mocha oak, light woody nuances of pencil shavings, a juicy hint of dark plummy fruit and a touch of aldehydic greenness.
I've had this vintage once before, and back then it was a very lovely and serious effort. Had it not been suffering from a faint touch of acetaldehyde, which lent a vague green-toned note of sorrel or green almond to the flavors, this probably would've been better than the 2000 vintage, which felt a bit bigger and more polished in comparison. However, the aldehydic greenness took its toll on the wine and while you could taste the finesse and complexity, this bottle was a bit of a let-down. It was still an enjoyable wine, but knowing how good this vintage can (and should) be, this vintage turned out the be the most disappointing bottle in our 2002-1985 vertical of Cos d'Estournel, unfortunately.2 people found this helpful 512 views