1986 Château Cos d'Estournel

Community Tasting Notes (484) Avg Score: 91.9 points

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  4/10/2024 - garymouton Likes this wine: 92 Points

  3 hour decant. Agree that this had a brambly, barnyard nose that was a little off-putting for me (and I like that characteristic). However, despite the decant, within an hour that had dissipated and the secondary and tertiary flavors of the wine came forth with the structure and formidable backbone of the 1986 vintage. Definitely old style bordeaux, and a wine that forces you to stop and think while you drink it. I enjoyed the bottle, but I think the Pauillac's from 86 that I have had have shown better. I don't think it will improve, but likely has several years at this plateau.

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  3/8/2024 - Ben Christiansen wrote:

  Frost bottle a touch musty on the nose. But a core fruit on the palate.
  
  Second bottle, relatively the same. Needs to open up a touch.

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  2/25/2024 - djhammond Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Last tasted 5 years ago, and looking back it confirms my notes from then. This really doesn't have the legs for extended aging; the magic of the 1986 vintage didn't seem to travel further north than Paulliac and St. Julien. That said, it is a good wine with a decent nose and palate, but the finish is its Achille's heel with residual sourness.

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  2/10/2024 - ElAzul Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Cork was pristine with only 1/4 inch run and bottle fill half inch above the neckline. Cedar, earth and dark fruit aromas. Even after 24 hours open and splashing back and forth the wine is still reticent but dark berry fruit is finally starting to emerge. Dusty tannin and acidity support the fruit. Not as thrilling as a couple of bottles I drank previously but still a positive testament to the vintage.

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  2/8/2024 - Thoughtful Likes this wine: 95 Points

  Stored in a cold cellar since release. Fill just under cork. Cork fell apart so feared the worst but wine in pristine condition. Still deep colour just a touch of brown. Lovely bouquet of forest and fruit. Some tannin left. Black fruits intense fading away gracefully. Classic St Estephe. Should reach 50 but unless certain of storage best to drink.
  Years ago there was a debate whether "modern" wines would last. In fact some are lasting a bit too well!

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