2010 Cos d'Estournel
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Tasting Notes
Like Pagodes this is a wonderfully effortless wine which belies huge concentration. Like Ch Margaux this is subtle and descreet and with terrific energy. Very black fruit but importantly, no prune. High-toned and really fruity at the end. Pure, fresh and lovely and long. This is a great Cos and a magnificent understanding of the vintage by Jean-Guillaume Pratts.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Ivor Davies
More reviews and scores
Tasted twice just to check, several days apart, the first under cloudy skies, the second under blue. A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot cropped at 36hl/ha, delivering 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.5 (it was 3.68 for 2009), this has a very refined, focused bouquet with pure blackberry, blueberry, Dorset plum scented nose with wonderful tension and mineralité. I really like the precision on this 2010, far more than the exotic 2009. The palate is full-bodied with quite assertive dry tannins on the entry rendering this a slightly more masculine Cos d’Estournel that is quintessential Saint Estephe but nods southwards towards Pauillac. Touches of graphite and cedar interlace the pure blackberry and briary fruit with great tension towards the finish. Very fine sense of symmetry here with great length in the mouth. Back to the Cos d’Estournel I love. Neal Martin. erobertparker.com
This is a deep dark scarlet lake to a coral edge, from which some fragrance of bramble, cedar and even graphite emerge reluctantly. All is held in firmly with fine and attractive tannins, not savoury but leathery. Acids pervade soft fruit, raspberry, redcurrant, cranberry and a memory of strawberry through to the mid palate with an almost silicate zone in its long after-taste. Reserved and secretive now, it will gradually reveal its treasury up to 2060.
The amazingly fresh 2010 Cos d'Estournel has a deep, opaque purple hue, with aromatics of vibrant blackberries, cherries, plum, spices and a hint of cedar, and a nice depth of fruit and restrained character to the flavours. It is good to see Cos moving away from over-extraction and crafting a wine that is detailed enough to express its fine terroir. This is a more classic style of Cos, understated and subtle but also with wonderful freshness and length.asianpalate.com
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About the producer
Louis Gaspard d’Estournel inherited Cos and Pomys in 1791, founding Cos d’Estournel in 1811, investing significantly in the property and expanding the estate from 14 to 45 hectares. The estate rapidly rose to prominence and the wines were exported around the world.