The 2014 Cos d'Estournel is destined to turn into a very lovely Saint Estèphe. This bottle was actually tasted over a period of a few hours. The estate is known for producing a more luxuriant and extravagant bouquet compared to its Saint Estèphe peers, yet this vintage is streamlined (to re-appropriate my original descriptor). It's unashamedly focused and delineated. It delivers intense blackberry and bilberry scents, again with a touch of iris. The palate is beautifully balanced with not a single hair out of place. The acidity is well judged and I noticed that after two or three hours, there was a faint vein of graphite that lends it a Pauillac-like personality, no surprise given that it lies just across the border. It will require several years in bottle for the tannins to mellow, but the result will be a very attractive, quite correct, fresh and precise Cos d'Estournel that will bestow two or three decades of drinking enjoyment. RP
Chateau Cos d'Estournel St Estephe 2eme Cru 2002 (Limited time offer item – other promotion offers and W Rewards are not applicable)
RP
94
WS
90
JS
94
Deep garnet colored with a touch of brick, the palate sports tobacco, cedar chest and yeast extract scents over a core of figs, dried mulberries, fruitcake, sautéed herbs and cinnamon toast with a waft of oolong tea. Medium-bodied, the palate features bags of freshness, with firm yet grainy tannins and plenty of mature dried berry flavors, finishing long and spicy. RP
$ 1,480
$ 1,258
Chateau Cos d'Estournel St Estephe 2eme Cru 2018
RP
98₊
WS
96
JS
98
Sporting a deep purple-black color, it needs a lot of swirling to begin to unlock a powerful nose of creme de cassis, stewed plums, wild blueberries and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by nuances of Sichuan pepper, star anise, tree and clove oil, plus a waft of charcoal. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with taut, muscular black fruits and earthy layers, framed by super firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully earthy. RP
$ 1,950
Cos d'Estournel St Estephe 2eme Cru 2006
RP
94
WS
93
The exceptional 2006 Cos d’Estournel is composed of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, 55% of the production was utilized. Revealing superb intensity for a 2006 as well as an inky/blue/purple color, and a sweet bouquet of blue and black fruits, licorice, graphite, and charcoal, this full-bodied 2006 possesses high levels of sweet tannin. This wine is characterized by a freshness and precision that give it a 1996-like affinity. Enjoy this beautifully concentrated, exceptionally pure, statuesque Cos d’Estournel over the next 20-25 years. By the way, it was bottled without any fining or filtration. RP